An Albanian family has been sentenced to prison in Britain for involvement in an organized cocaine distribution network via WhatsApp.
According to the Daily Mail, Rezart Balesi, 44, who was described by the court as the main figure of the group, was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison. His son, Joshua Balesi, 22, was sentenced to 4 years, and his brother, Refail Balesi, 39, was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison.
The verdict was handed down at Manchester Crown Court after a lengthy investigation into the gang's activities. Evidence presented to the court showed that Rezart Balesi used the Village Bistro, in Vernon Street, Greenmount, Bury, as a base for the gang's activities. The boy and his brother controlled a phone line through which they received orders for cocaine on WhatsApp. The orders were then passed on to trusted distributors, who made the deliveries. The judge described the activity as a "commercial and profitable enterprise", while the leaked messages showed that the gang could earn up to £9,000 a night.
The judge severely criticized Rezart Bales for involving his son in criminal activity. At the time Joshua was involved in this activity, he was only 18 years old. The judge told Rezart that for this action he “should be ashamed forever.”
The prosecution said it was difficult to determine the full extent of the activity, but evidence showed dozens of cocaine sales were made over several days. An expert estimated that around 790 grams of cocaine were distributed over a three-month period. The group's communications also mentioned buying large quantities of cocaine, worth around £36,000. The criminal network is believed to have operated from May 2024 to March 2026.
Other people involved in the network were also sentenced in the same investigation. Fatos Vrenezi, 53, was sentenced to 4 years in prison, while Lorenzo Canovi, 48, was sentenced to 37 months. Imanuel Lumaj, 30, received 3 years and 9 months in prison, while Fjoraldo Lukaj, 31, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months and will face deportation from the UK. Antonino Precaj, 33, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for his role in another criminal conspiracy involving the cultivation of cannabis, which also involved Joshua Balesi.
The investigation was carried out by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit. Inspector Michael Robinson said authorities had “dismantled a significant organised crime group” which was causing significant damage to local communities. Rezart and Refail Balesi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, while Joshua Balesi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.
