The federal court system did not mess around when it sentenced five local men for operating a drug ring.

Although we feel for their families, it’s also nice to know that the likes of Dominique Raeshawn Kindred, 20, of Franklin won’t be on the streets for 26 years. Sentenced in U.S. Eastern District Court in Norfolk, Kindred was named the leader of the drug trafficking organization started in 2007 when he was 16.

The ring was busted after the suspects sold crack cocaine, powder cocaine and marijuana on more than 30 occasions to informants since June 2009. Of the nine informants, some represented the FBI and Franklin Police.

Officials claim sales took place from vehicles driven by the suspects, including a Cadillac, Honda and Mercedes-Benz and from a home on Pearl Street and apartment on Forest Pine Road, both in Franklin. The complaint also indicated drugs were sold to younger individuals, which we find most disturbing.

Others sentenced were Alexander Howard Olds, 22, of Franklin and Torrance Jamar Bowers, 23, of Ivor to 16½ years each; Jovar Smith, 22, of Franklin, 11 years; and Brandon De’Shun Cary, 26, of Franklin, 10 years.

What’s even more amazing is the arrests occurred on July 6 and all entered guilty pleas by mid-August. Have never known the justice system to move so quickly. And now all have been sentenced. A job well done.