A former police officer who served as the ringleader of a million-dollar gun smuggling ring was sentenced to nearly five years in prison.

Former officer William Masso was sentenced in Manhattan federal court on Friday to 57 months behind bars.

Prosecutors said Masso had a central role in a smuggling ring that involved seven other current or retired police officers.

The group transported weapons, slot machines and cigarettes that they believed were stolen.

Authorities uncovered the ring after an investigation that began in 2009.

Masso pleaded guilty to the charges in February.