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Eastern Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Celiwe Binta, has warned the gangs operating in Port Elizabeth's northern areas that their days are numbered.
Binta commended the results of Operation Grafitti which saw the arrest of 18 gang members in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.
She added that the SAPS will not allow communities to be terrorised by gangs nor allow the undermining of law and order anywhere in the Province.
Operation Graffiti was conducted after intelligence was gathered for several months surrounding the activities of gangs in the northern areas.
The operation was conducted with the assistance of Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team, Public Order Police and the K9 unit.
Binta says those arrested are associated with three notorious gangs in the area.
During the raid, a variety of items were seized, including a firearm and five rounds of ammunition, 40 Mandrax tablets, 20 bompies of dagga and R130 000 in cash.
The suspects will appear in the Port Elizabeth New Law Court on Friday on charges of dealing in drugs and the contravention of Section 9 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
