In an effort to crack down on fireworks, the Long Beach Police Department conducted several investigations this week into the sale and possession of fireworks within city limits. All fireworks are illegal in the city.

Officers made a number arrests, issued citations and confiscated thousands of dollars worth of high-powered fireworks, officials announced Wednesday. Narcotics, as well as two handguns and currency, were also seized.

Among the larger incidents occurred Saturday at about 8 p.m., when police initially responded to the 2600 block of Long Beach Boulevard about the illegal sale of fireworks.

Officers later went to the suspect’s home and confiscated a large quantity of additional fireworks, several thousand dollars in cash, a significant quantity of narcotics and recovered a stolen handgun and ammunition.

Sorvath Ke, 35, was arrested on suspicion of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, possession of fireworks and a variety of narcotics-related crimes. He is being held at Long Beach City Jail on $50,000 bail.

Other incidents include:

• On Tuesday at about 2:35 p.m., officers cited Suzanna Bermudez, 25, on suspicion of possession and sales of fireworks in the 1100 block of Orange Avenue. Several packages of fireworks were also confiscated.

• On Saturday at about 6 p.m., officers made contact with Bryan Vasquez, 18, of Long Beach in the area of Willow Street and Cedar Avenue. He was cited for possession and sales of fireworks. In all, eight large boxes of fireworks he was attempting to sell were confiscated from his vehicle and residence, police said.

• On Friday at about 7:35 p.m., officers cited Kevin Jackson, 35, of Lakewood for possessing and selling fireworks in the area of South Street and Cherry Avenue, police said. Several packages of fireworks were confiscated.

Jackson was ultimately arrested on suspicion of having an outstanding warrant for domestic violence. He posted $50,000 bail and was released from Long Beach City Jail.

• On Friday at about 10:20 a.m., officers made contact with Rodrigo Velardo, 33, of Long Beach in the area of Market Street and Orange Avenue. Several packages of fireworks were confiscated, and a handgun was located in his vehicle, police said. He was arrested and booked into the Long Beach City Jail on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and possession and sales of illegal fireworks. He is being held on $10,000 bail.

The Long Beach Police Department said in a statement that residents should celebrate the Fourth of July holiday in a safe and responsible manner. All fireworks are illegal in the city of Long Beach.

Violators may be cited and/or arrested and face a $1,000 fine, sentenced to jail for six months, or both. The fines and penalties may increase depending on the fireworks’ classification.

Fireworks may be voluntarily disposed of at collection bins located at all fire stations, at Lifeguard Headquarters at 2100 E. Ocean Boulevard (on the west side of the Junipero Avenue lot), or at any police station.