Canton Man Sold 200 Pounds Of Meth Between Mass, California: Feds

CANTON, MA — A Canton man was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday after being convicted of running an operation that trafficked 200 pounds of methamphetamine between Massachusetts and California. James Giannetta, 64, was sentenced to 14 years in prison and five years probation, and ordered to forfeit over $280,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to his role in managing and supervising the cross-country methamphetamine distribution ring. Giannetta and 10 co-defendants from Massachusetts and California were charged in 2016 with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to launder monetary instruments.

According to prosecutors who investigated Giannetta for two years, the drug trafficking began in 2013 and perhaps earlier. Prosecutors said Giannetta and his associates transported methamphetamine from San Diego, California to Massachusetts, where it was sold around greater Boston. Drug sales were sent back to California or laundered through various businesses, prosecutors said.

At Giannetta’s sentencing hearing, one of Giannetta’s co-conspirators testified that Giannetta was the ring leader. The witness said Giannetta served as a mentor and introduced him to his San Diego-based suppliers. After the cooperating witness took on a leadership role in the drug ring, Giannetta continued to distribute meth to his Boston-based customers and shared the profits with the witness. The witness estimated 200 pounds of meth traded hands during the conspiracy.

Giannetta was also convicted of federal drug trafficking in the 1980s. After his release, prosecutors said he continued to traffic drugs.

When apprehended by law enforcement, Giannetta provided information about others in the hopes of limiting his own personal criminal exposure.

All 11 defendants have pleaded guilty to federal charges and four (including Giannetta) have been sentenced:

• Christopher Halfond, a California-based supplier, was sentenced to 11 years, eight months in federal prison.
• Mario Castro, a Boston-based street-level distributor, was sentenced to four years, nine months months in federal prison
• Jorge Grandon, Castro’s distribution partner, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in federal prison.