$1.7 Billion in Pot, 100 Arrests, in California Drug Sweep

FRESNO, Calif. (CBS/AP) A three-week sweep by federal and state agents targeting marijuana growers in California's Sierra Nevada range has netted more than $1.7 billion worth of pot to go with nearly 100 arrests.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims says several Mexican drug cartels are involved in the operations, and that most of the 97 people arrested are Mexican nationals.

Gil Kerlikowske, who directs the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, says agents have destroyed more than 432,000 marijuana plants during the three-week operation, which ends Friday.

Kerlikowske was in Fresno on Thursday to express support for the sweep, which involves 450 agents covering the remote stretches of Fresno, Madera and Tulare counties.