The Calgary Police Service and Tsuut’ina Nation Police have concluded a joint-investigation into an overdose death with charges against a 31-year-old man.
Christopher Cardinal has been charged with a total of 13 charges after an investigation began into the source of drugs that led to a woman’s death in April of this year.
Those charges include five counts of trafficking, four counts of possession of property obtained by crime, three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of obstruction and 29 outstanding criminal warrants.
“We would like to thank the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service for their assistance with this investigation,” said Inspector Jeff Pennoyer of the Calgary Police Service.
“The success of these types of investigations relies on the co-operation of family and friends assisting police, as well as the co-operation and partnership across law enforcement agencies.”
Cardinal was arrested on July 12, and will next appear in court on July 21.
Police seized 7.7 grams of crack cocaine, 1.6 grams of powder cocaine, 69.6 grams of methamphetamine, 20.2 grams of fentanyl, $1,000 cash, and multiple cell phones.
The investigation began following the family of the overdose victim coming forward to police with information about drug trafficking.
No charges were laid in direct relation to the woman’s death, as police deemed it to be non-criminal in nature.
In April, 179 Albertans died from opioid overdoses—the highest reported number of deaths to date from opioids in the province. Of those deaths, 76 were of individuals living in Calgary.
