Overdose death investigation leads Calgary police to man now charged with drug trafficking
Posted May 14, 2026 9:50 am.
Last Updated May 14, 2026 4:07 pm.
An investigation into the death of a man who died from a drug overdose in January in northeast Calgary has led to charges against one man.
Police say the investigation progressed in March, when officers got information about a person who may have sold drugs to the deceased.
On April 22, a search warrant was executed at a home on 49 Avenue SE, where police found hydromorphone, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and a stolen e-bike worth $9,000.
Forty-four-year-old Jesse Kabatoff has since been charged with four counts of drug trafficking, five counts of possession of property obtained by crime, three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and breach of a release order.
He is set to appear in court on June 2.
The Calgary Police Service (CPS) say at this time, there is insufficient evidence to lay charges in relation to the overdose death.
In cases where a drug overdose is found to be the cause of death, those suspected with supplying drugs to the victim could face charges of drug trafficking causing death or manslaughter.
In 2023, CPS began the OverDOSE pilot project, which uses drug investigators to maintain consistency in drug-related death investigations.
In 2025, the pilot project was formalized with the creation of the Drug Investigations for Safer Communities (DISC) Team.
DISC targets drug traffickers responsible for selling drugs that cause overdoses and individuals who sell illegal drugs online.
The team also works with the Drug Undercover Street Team (DUST) to conduct investigations.
