Vancouver police show some of the weapons they say they've seized while carrying out their anti-gang initiative called Project Torrent. (CBC)

Vancouver police say they've struck a blow against organized crime in the city, laying 125 charges against 14 people in a gang crackdown.

The charges are the result of an ongoing investigation called Project Torrent and more arrests are expected, said Insp. Brad Desmarais.

"The organized crime groups operating within the boundaries of our city are a cancer on the health of our community that we intend to remove with every tool and tactic at our command," he said at a news conference Wednesday.

"They are led by men who have a sociopathic disregard for morals, right and wrong and common decency. They are willing to commit any crime, resort to mindless violence and impose any toll on their victims as long as it makes them money."

Those charged to date include purported gangsters Manny Buttar and Bobby Gill, who police allege are the leaders of a gang known as the Buttar group.

Both were accused of obstructing justice, while Gill was also charged with assault, extortion and several driving offences.

The charges against the other 12 accused include conspiracy to commit murder, uttering death threats, assault, extortion and a variety of weapons offences, including making and trafficking in firearms.

Police said 13 of the 14 arrested are alleged to be members of one gang.

Police will offer choice

There is also one woman unassociated with the group, a 32-year-old Surrey resident, who was charged with conspiracy to commit murder after she tried to hire gang members to kill her ex-husband, police said.

Police will be approaching gang members on the streets over the next few weeks and giving them a choice, said Vancouver police chief Jim Chu.

"They can choose to co-operate with the police and leave the gang lifestyle or they can choose to be our next targets for investigation and prosecution," he said.

The latest charges follow several high-profile arrests and charges in the region involving members of what police say are rival gangs who have fought over drug turf.

At this time last year the city was reeling from the brazen daylight attacks waged on the streets of Vancouver and surrounding cities.

The wave of killings left two dozen people dead in the first six months of 2009.