The Albanian owner of a family bistro, who was at the center of a cocaine trafficking operation via WhatsApp, along with his son and brother, have been sentenced to prison by a British court.
Rezart Balesi, 44, was described as a “senior figure” in the police operation and was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison. His son Joshua, 22, and his brother Refaili, 39, were also jailed.
Manchester Crown Judge Sarah Johnston said the illegal trafficking was a "commercial and profitable enterprise", with messages suggesting the group could earn £9,000 in a single night, the Daily Mail reported.
Balesi used his Village Bistro in Bury as a distribution hub. His son and brother operated a “deal line” by mobile phone, taking orders for cocaine. They then engaged trusted distributors. Judge Johnston said of Rezart: “You tried not to get your hands dirty, but you were prepared to do so.”
She also criticized him for involving his son, then 18, in trafficking, telling him that this "should be to your eternal shame."
His brother Refail Balesi was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison, while Joshua was sentenced to 4 years. Distributors Fatos Vrenezi, 53, and Lorenzo Canovi, 48, were sentenced to 4 years each.
Immanuel Lumaj, 30, was jailed for 3 years and 9 months, while Fjoraldo Lukaj, 31, received 3 years and 6 months and will face deportation. Antonino Precaj, 33, was jailed for 2 years and 3 months for his role in the cannabis cultivation that included Joshua.
The drug trafficking lasted from May 2024 to March 2026.
Prosecutors said the true scale was difficult to determine, but evidence showed dozens of cocaine deals taking place over several days, with one expert estimating that around 790g of cocaine was supplied over a three-month period.
The court also heard that there were messages about buying cocaine in bulk for £36,000. Judge Johnston said the operation was not “oppressive but collegial” and that those involved had willingly chosen to profit from the “misery” caused by the drug. ©LAPsi.al
