SEARCH CONTINUES FOR FLEEING TRUCK DRIVER

Jackson County sheriff's deputies continued searching Thursday for
the driver of an 18-wheeler who took off running after deputies
stopped the eastbound truck on Interstate 10 and found 325 pounds of
marijuana.

Deputies said the unidentified trucker, who was stopped Wednesday
night, told Deputy Robert Blocker that the truck's trailer was empty.
But Blocker asked to look in the trailer after he noticed it was
padlocked, deputies said.

The trucker opened the trailer, revealing several duffel bags filled
with the marijuana, deputies said. The trucker, who told officers
he'd just left New Orleans, took off running into a nearby wooded
area once he realized the marijuana was found, deputies said.

Late Thursday, the search continued for the truck's driver. Deputies
impounded the 18-wheeler and seized the marijuana.