Convicted drug trafficker John Joseph Cesconetto sentenced for drug supply

A grandfather who was found guilty for trafficking methamphetamine was on a suspended sentence when he was busted for drug supply.

A GRANDFATHER who was found guilty for trafficking methamphetamine was on a suspended sentence when he was busted for drug supply.

John Joseph Cesconetto (aka Giovanni Fortonato Cesconetto), 56, was found guilty by a jury in 2016 for trafficking 62.6g of pure methamphetamine.

He was sentenced to five years’ jail suspended after two years.

On February 11 this year police executed a search warrant at Cesconetto’s house.

The Townsville District Court heard Police found a mobile phone that uncovered six drug supplies.

Cesconetto supplied cannabis on four occasions, supplied methamphetamine on one occasion and supplied methamphetamine and cannabis on one occasion.

Police executed another search at Cesconetto’s house on June 17.

Crown prosecutor Amanda Payne said police found various drug items.

“Police located $9,600 concealed in a false hole in the wall and under carpet in his bedroom and he also had a glass pipe which was in a different false panel in one of his walls,” she said.

The court heard police also found a throwing star.

Cesconetto pleaded guilty to 14 charges including drug supply.

Defence barrister Kelly Stone said his client was a grandfather of two and had stuggled with a drug addiction.

“His past history of selling drugs has been for the purpose of keeping his habit going,” he said.

“His choices have been bad but he does hope somehow to get clean of drugs.”

Judge John Coker told Cesconetto it was “troubling” he still found himself before the courts at his age.

“Your council has indicated that you are aware of the need, even at this stage in your life, to cease the use of drugs because it can only lead to further and longer periods of incarceration,” he said.

Judge Coker declared the 122 days spent in pre-sentence custody as time served and sentenced Cesconetto to two years’ jail.

A parole release date was set at February 17 next year.

Originally published as Convicted drug trafficker John Joseph Cesconetto sentenced for drug supply