SAN BERNARDINO >> The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced dozens of arrests and seizures as part of an effort to take down the Westside Verdugo street gang at a news conference Friday afternoon.

Operation Green Hand, a four-month investigation, resulted in 86 arrests, the seizure of 43 firearms and 4,800 rounds of ammunition, as well as the seizure of cocaine, black tar heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine and nearly $30,000 in cash, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release.

“At this time, of those 86 arrests, 28 have been formally charged,” San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Chris Lee said. “We anticipate more charges filed in the near future.”

The gang, which has been in existence since the 1950s, was involved in murder, major assaults, gun trafficking, the sale of illegal narcotics and human trafficking, officials said.

“I refuse to allow gang violence to terrorize our communities,” State Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a written statement. “The San Bernardino community is safer today thanks to the hard work and coordination among law enforcement agencies. These arrests send a strong message to the individuals who believe they are above the law: You will be held accountable.”

Agencies involved in the investigation were the Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino police, San Bernardino County Probation, the District Attorney’s Office, California Highway Patrol Inland Division, Fontana police, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI and the California Department of Justice.

“We formed the task force to attack this violent street gang,” Sheriff John McMahon said. “The collaborative effort between all agencies was critical to bring this group to justice.”

Investigators also targeted the gang hierarchy running the illegal operations from prison and gathered intelligence beneficial to the operation.

“Years ago, we declared a war on gangs in San Bernardino County with the goal to win these battles to keep our community safe,” District Attorney Mike Ramos said. “We will continue to hold these persons responsible for their criminal actions.”

Operation Valley Vigilance, a similar operation in Riverside County, was announced at a press conference Thursday in Hemet.

Almost 400 law enforcement officers from city, county, state and federal agencies descended on 58 locations in Hemet, San Jacinto and surrounding areas, Hemet Police Chief Dave Brown said. They arrested 24 people and seized 77 firearms and 4 pounds of narcotics.

Brown described the operation as the largest single-day joint takedown in the San Jacinto Valley’s history and the history of southwest Riverside County.

Another 23 people were arrested previously during the operation. Six suspects in various crimes remain at large.

Numerous gang-related shootings and violent acts have been caused by the Sureño criminal street gang and the Mexican Mafia, according to the attorney general’s statement.

The arrests of these individuals are attributed to various crimes including those associated with conspiracy to commit robbery and/or kidnapping, and for conspiracies related to firearms and narcotic violations.

“These gangs recruit kids from our neighborhoods, schools and our communities. They sell drugs, illegal weapons and commit murders to further their criminal organization and instill fear in the community,” McMahon said. “I value our partnerships with our local, state and federal agencies to rid our society of these criminals.”

Lastly, Ramos delivered a warning to future gang members.

“For those of you out there that decide perhaps you want to live that lifestyle, rest assured we will get you.”