Three men are facing dozens of charges after Calgary police began investigating drug trafficking operations following fatal overdoses in 2022 and 2023.
The first overdose death happened in August 2022, police say, when a man was found dead in his home. Investigators began investigating the person thought to have been selling drugs to this victim and in March 2024, there was enough evidence to press charges.
On March 12, 2024, two men were arrested and charged with drug trafficking. A search of the suspect’s vehicle uncovered methamphetamine and fentanyl, police say.
As a result, 32-year-old Ross Michael Darr is facing charges of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. He is set to appear in court on Friday, June 28.
Brandon Howatt, 38, was also charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. He was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
In October 2023, another man was found dead after overdosing in his home. and officers began to investigate.
From, January 2024 to May 2024, Calgary police officers investigated a man they believed to be trafficking drugs and collected evidence that led them to a home in the northeast community of Skyview Ranch.
Last month, investigators searched a house on Skyview Ranch Landing NE where crack cocaine, cocaine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, MDMA, money, a rifle, ammunition, and more was seized.
Karanbir Singh Khaira is now facing multiple counts of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, careless storage of a firearm, possession of an unauthorized firearm, and possession of a loaded firearm while restricted.
He was scheduled to be in court on Monday.
“There is no such thing as a safe street drug, and every time people consume illegal narcotics, they are taking a chance with their life. In 2023, there were 571 people who lost their lives due to drug overdoses in our city, and each of those deaths has the potential to result in drug traffickers being charged,” says said CPS Insp. Jeff Pennoyer. “We are willing to use every resource available to ensure those involved will be held accountable for their actions.”
Anyone with information about these incidents or has information about drug trafficking in Calgary is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234 or tip anonymously through CrimeStoppers.