Latest news with #AlbertaLawEnforcementResponseTeams
Global News
22-05-2025
- Global News
Edmonton man accused of counselling child sex assault in Vietnam over livestream
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook An Alberta man is facing charges after investigators allege he was involved in the livestreamed sexual assault of a toddler in Vietnam. The 55-year-old Edmonton man was arrested last week following an investigation by Canadian, American and Vietnamese law enforcement. The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, or ALERT, says it relates to a video of a livestream depicting the sexual assault of a child between the ages of two and three. International authorities found the child and the offender in Vietnam and allege the Edmonton man remotely directed the abuse. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He has been charged with sexual interference, making arrangements to commit a sexual offence against a child, and making, possessing and accessing child pornography. He was released from custody and is set to appear in court in June. Story continues below advertisement 'This case is a harrowing reminder of the real-world suffering children endure for some people's sexual gratification,' acting Sgt. Matthew Pepper said in a statement Thursday. 'But let this also be a warning to offenders that law enforcement will go to great lengths to identify them and hold them accountable.'
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta man accused of counselling child sex assault in Vietnam over livestream
EDMONTON – An Alberta man is facing charges after investigators allege he was involved in the livestreamed sexual assault of a toddler in Vietnam. The 55-year-old Edmonton man was arrested last week following an investigation by Canadian, American and Vietnamese law enforcement. The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, or ALERT, says it relates to a video of a livestream depicting the sexual assault of a child between the ages of two and three. International authorities found the child and the offender in Vietnam and allege the Edmonton man remotely directed the abuse. He has been charged with sexual interference, making arrangements to commit a sexual offence against a child, and making, possessing and accessing child pornography. He was released from custody and is set to appear in court in June. 'This case is a harrowing reminder of the real-world suffering children endure for some people's sexual gratification,' acting Sgt. Matthew Pepper said in a statement Thursday. 'But let this also be a warning to offenders that law enforcement will go to great lengths to identify them and hold them accountable.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025.
Toronto Sun
15-05-2025
- Health
- Toronto Sun
DEA threat assessment points to fentanyl 'super laboratories' in Canada
Published May 15, 2025 • 2 minute read Fentanyl pills are shown in an undated police handout photo. Photo by handout/Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams / THE CANADIAN PRESS WASHINGTON — The United States Drug Enforcement Administration's latest threat assessment says fentanyl 'super laboratories' in Canada are a growing source of concern — after U.S. President Donald Trump used cross-border traffic in the deadly drug to justify hitting imports of Canadian goods with tariffs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The annual report released this week says that while the estimated volume of fentanyl coming from Canada is substantially lower than the amount entering the U.S. from Mexico, 'these operations have the potential to expand and fill any supply void created by disruptions to Mexico-sourced fentanyl production and trafficking.' The DEA pointed out that the RCMP dismantled a sophisticated drug lab in British Columbia last October. 'This year's report indicates progress in the fight against fentanyl and also outlines the increasing challenges we face with the changing landscape of the synthetic drug crisis,' said DEA acting administrator Robert Murphy in a news release Thursday. 'The adulterating of fentanyl with highly potent, dangerous chemicals reminds us that this fight is far from over.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Trump used the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, also called IEEPA, to declare an emergency over fentanyl trafficking in order to hit Canada with tariffs in March. He partially paused the tariffs a few days later for imports that comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade. Canada is also being hit with duties on steel, aluminum and automobiles through a different presidential authority to impose tariffs. Canada took swift action after Trump issued his initial tariff threat late last year by introducing a $1.3 billion border plan and appointing a 'fentanyl czar.' Ottawa announced a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force and deployed additional helicopters and drones along the border. The DEA report says that as of spring 2025, about 50 pounds of 'Canada-sourced' fentanyl had been seized at the U.S.-Canada border over 2024, while 20,622 pounds were seized at the U.S.-Mexico border. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's not clear if the DEA used U.S. Customs and Border Protection data for its analysis. The agency did not respond when asked whether all of the fentanyl cited in the report originated in Canada or why it chose to include Canada in its most recent report. Canada was not mentioned once in the DEA's 2024 drug threat assessment. A March report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence also did not mention Canada in its information about the fentanyl threat. The RCMP said in March that 'there is limited to no evidence or data from law enforcement agencies in the U.S. or Canada to support the claim that Canadian produced fentanyl is an increasing threat to the U.S.' Trump initially said fentanyl traffic was his reason for imposing tariffs on Canada — but his list of complaints soon expanded to include trade deficits and defence spending as he called for Canada to become part of the U.S. The president has softened his tone toward Canada in recent weeks, particularly after a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House. On Monday, while speaking about fentanyl coming into U.S., Trump said it's trafficked 'much more through the southern border.'
CTV News
29-04-2025
- CTV News
Taber to see heavy police presence during organized crime investigation
Residents living in Taber can expect a heavy police presence amid an ongoing investigation into organized crime in the area. Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) says the investigation, called Project Leadline, involves them, Taber police, Lethbridge police and RCMP. 'Search warrants are being executed on (Tuesday) at locations in Taber,' ALERT said in a news release. 'Arrests and seizures are on-going.' ALERT says further information about the investigation will be released at a later time. Taber is located roughly 45 kilometres east of Lethbridge. Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call police or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
CBC
06-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Canada's 'fentanyl czar' will be appointed before Trump's tariff pause ends: public safety minister
Public Safety Minister David McGuinty says Canada's new "fentanyl czar" will be appointed before U.S. President Donald Trump's next deadline for imposing sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods. "We intend to be way more proactive than that," McGuinty told reporters on Thursday. "We're moving forward now." The fentanyl czar position was part of a last-minute deal between Canadian and American officials to avert a major trade war. Trump issued an executive order on Saturday to impose 25 per cent tariffs on almost all Canadian goods, prompting Canada to declare retaliatory tariffs hours later. On Monday, both sides agreed to stand down — for now. Trump issued another executive order delaying the tariffs until March 4. Canada promised to appoint a fentanyl czar, list Mexican cartels as terrorists and kick in $200 million to launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force tasked with combatting organized crime and money laundering. WATCH | Canadian officials share their vision for the 'fentanyl czar': What will Canada's 'fentanyl czar' do? 2 days ago Duration 2:44 McGuinty said the fentanyl czar would "absolutely" be on the job by March 4. The minister also said the scope of the new job would be finalized "by the end of this week." McGuinty said the czar would "help us integrate what is a whole-of-society challenge. Fentanyl is a foreign affairs issue. It's a law enforcement issue. It's an intelligence issue. It's a public health issue." According to a senior government source, the fentanyl czar job was put on the table by the Canadians. The source, who was not authorized to speak on the record, said the government is looking for a serving or former police officer for the role — and to fill it as soon as possible. The aim, the source said, is to have better information-sharing with the U.S. Top Mountie: Czar can be a 'conduit' "There's so many government departments involved in the fight against fentanyl," Duheme said in an interview on Rosemary Barton Live airing Sunday, adding that he also sees the czar building relationships with officials in the United States and Mexico. Duheme said the new position won't interfere with the RCMP's work "because we have police independence and that's going to maintain." Supt. Marc Cochlin, CEO of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, whose members are drawn from various law enforcement agencies, equated the position to football where "everybody needs a good quarterback and a good captain to win." "I think a spokesperson for the strategy would be great," Cochlin said. He said law enforcement is already hard at work on the issue. Solving Canada's fentanyl crisis takes more than just enforcement, Cochlin said. It also requires looking at mental health and addictions "because we will not be able to arrest [ourselves] out of this problem."
