The leader of a Portland drug ring that smuggled crack cocaine into Maine was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Portland to serve 13 years in prison.

Russell Gordon, 32, of Ansonia, Connecticut, known by several names including “Murda,” “M1” and “Black,” possessed about 89 grams of crack cocaine and more than $9,400 cash when police on Jan. 9 searched 66 Smith St. in Portland, according to court records.

Gordon was the leader of a group of drug dealers who smuggled crack cocaine from Connecticut and elsewhere from December 2013 until the time of their arrests, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Gordon pleaded guilty May 29 before Judge George Singal to charges of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

The cases against them and others were part of a 16-month investigation into cocaine trafficking involving several municipal, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

The investigation began after a shooting at 66 Smith St. in July 2014 that residents told police was related to someone known as “Murda” stealing 20 bags of marijuana, according to an affidavit by FBI Special Agent Christopher Peavey.

Police said two armed men had forced their way into the apartment and demanded money. Nobody was injured. The gunshot struck the door of another apartment in the building.

Investigators intercepted telephone calls and text messages, and used hidden cameras to track the activities at 66 Smith St.

Singal also sentenced Gordon to serve five years of supervised release after completion of his federal prison term. The judge also ordered Gordon to forfeit $10,706 in seized cash and pay a $200 fee.