Agents seize $1.2 billion worth of pot in Calif.

The Associated Press
1:59 p.m. July 23, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. — Federal and state agents have arrested 82 people on suspicion of growing more than $1.2 billion worth of marijuana in California's Sierra Nevada range.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims says several Mexican drug cartels are involved in the operations. All but one of the people arrested was from Mexico.

Gil Kerlikowske, who directs the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, says agents have destroyed more than 314,000 marijuana plants at 70 different grow sites over 10 days. He said more arrests were pending.

Kerlikowske was in Fresno County Wednesday to express support for the sweep, which has netted $41,000 in cash, 26 firearms and three vehicles.

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