US federal and state agents have arrested 82 people on suspicion of growing more than $US1.2 billion ($1.5 billion) worth of marijuana in California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said several Mexican drug cartels were involved in the operations.

All but one of the people arrested were from Mexico.

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

He said more arrests were pending.

Kerlikowske was in Fresno County to express support for the sweep, which also netted $US41,000 ($50,400) in cash, 26 firearms and three vehicles.

AP