The proprietor of a family-run bistro, along with his son and brother, has been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in a substantial cocaine-dealing operation that utilized WhatsApp for coordination. Rezart Balesi, 44, identified as the senior figure in the conspiracy, received seven years and six months imprisonment.
His son, Joshua Balesi, 22, was sentenced to four years, and his brother, Refail Balesi, 39, received five years and three months. The group operated from the Village Bistro on Vernon Street, Greenmount, Bury, which prosecutors described as a commercial and profitable enterprise.
Messages recovered indicated the operation could generate approximately £9,000 in a single night. Rezart Balesi was noted for attempting to distance himself from direct involvement but was willing to participate. Judge Sarah Johnston criticized Rezart for leading his then 18-year-old son into the criminal enterprise, stating it should be a cause for his “eternal shame.”
Joshua and Refail Balesi managed a mobile phone 'deal line,' taking orders for cocaine and then dispatching street dealers to make deliveries. The drug conspiracy spanned from May 2024 to March 2026. While the full extent of the operation is difficult to ascertain, evidence pointed to dozens of daily cocaine transactions. An expert estimated that around 790 grams of cocaine were supplied over a three-month period.
Further evidence suggested the group purchased cocaine in bulk for £36,000. Judge Johnston characterized the operation as “not oppressive but collegiate,” with participants willingly choosing to profit from the harm caused by drugs.
Street dealers Fatos Vrenezi, 48, and Lorenzo Canovi, 53, were sentenced to four years and 37 months, respectively. Immanuel Lumaj, 30, received three years and nine months, while Fjoraldo Lukaj, 31, was sentenced to three years and six months and faces deportation. Antonino Precaj, 33, was jailed for 27 months for his role in a separate cannabis-growing conspiracy involving Joshua Balesi.
The prosecution resulted from an extensive investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit. Detective Inspector Michael Robinson stated that officers had successfully dismantled a significant organized crime group that was inflicting considerable harm on local communities.
Megi Zaimi, the wife of alleged controller Konstantinos Vaso (who remains at large), had previously received a 25-month suspended sentence for her role in collecting cash and dealing with street dealers. No further evidence was presented against Rezart Balesi's wife, Claire Balesi, and a not guilty verdict was entered.
Prior to sentencing, Rezart Balesi and Refail Balesi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Joshua Balesi admitted to conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.