LITTLE ROCK (2-2) 

     Officers from the Arkansas Highway Police (AHP) Division of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) uncovered a significant shipment of illegal drugs in a commercial motor vehicle along Interstate 30 last week, according to AHP Chief Ron Burks.

     On Thursday, January 29, 2009, officers discovered several bundles of marijuana while conducting a safety inspection of a truck tractor at the Hope Highway Police Station in Hempstead County .   The drugs were found in the trailer.  The approximate total weight of the bundles was 890 pounds, and their value was estimated at $450,000. 

     The driver was identified as Laroi Jeff Sutherland of Toledo , OH .  It is believed the truck tractor was traveling from Donna , TX to Ruthven, ONT, Canada .   Sutherland was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver and is being held on $25,000 bond at the Hempstead County Jail.