Murder and drug charges laid against four men

Homicide probe reveals links to drug trade

Four men have been charged following a police investigation into two homicides linked to the drug trade, Calgary police announced Wednesday.

Police have been investigating the deaths of Jason Antonio, 39, who was found dead outside his home on Manora Crescent N.E. in October 2014, and Taylor Zanoni, 23, who died from gunshot wounds after an incident in the 10300 block of Bonaventure Drive S.E. in May 2015.

Investigators say they had information that led them to believe both homicides were connected to a group “heavily involved” in drug activity.

After a joint investigation between Calgary police and investigators in the U.S., arrests were made July 15 and 14.2 kilograms of cocaine and 3.2 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized during what police believe was an attempt to bring drugs into Canada.

“It’s all part of the same investigation, so the violence that we see often is related to drug activity in this city,” said Insp. Don Coleman with the Calgary police major crimes unit.

Coleman said both homicide victims were believed to be involved in the drug trade.

Calgary police also searched several residences and businesses they believe are connected to the investigation, including a home in the 300 block of 3rd Street S.E., where two officers came into contact with “an unknown substance” and required medical attention.

“I believe there was several plastic containers of powder that the officers had taken the lids off to see what was inside these containers, and the one container, whatever was in it, the substance seemed to initially overwhelm the officers, so they’ve been treated and have been released and are recovering,” Coleman said.

The scene is being held, and police say there is expected to be “significant disruption” in the area, but that there is no imminent danger to the public.

Gursharanjit Parmar, 32, and Joshua Okabe, 30, have been charged with two counts of firstdegree murder in connection with the deaths of Antonio and Zanoni. Parmar and Okabe and two other men, Ricco King, 44, and his father, William King, 71, are also facing charges of conspiracy to import cocaine.