Brothers Chico and James DeBarge found themselves in handcuffs together Friday after police allegedly discovered narcotics during a late-night traffic stop in Burbank, California. The incident highlights ongoing legal struggles for the DeBarge family, who have faced their share of challenges over the years.
Both men were arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, according to NBC 4 Los Angeles. The DeBarge family has dealt with these kinds of headlines before, and this latest incident adds another chapter to their complicated story.
The encounter began around 1:30 a.m., when authorities allegedly spotted a Chevrolet Tahoe towing a Nissan SUV. The cops said neither vehicle displayed license plates.
James was driving the Chevrolet, while Chico was behind the wheel of the Nissan, according to the report. Both were taken into custody after officers allegedly found narcotics at the scene.
The latest arrest comes after years of legal problems for Chico involving drugs. This pattern reflects deeper struggles that have affected many families dealing with mass incarceration and substance abuse issues.
In 2021, police arrested him for methamphetamine possession after responding to a motorhome. According to TMZ, officers found the motorhome’s registration had been expired for six months and impounded the vehicle.
During the incident, authorities allegedly discovered methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia. Chico was booked on charges of “possession of a controlled substance” and “possession of drug paraphernalia.”
He had also faced drug possession arrests in 2007, late 2019 and earlier in 2021. The recurring nature of these incidents suggests ongoing personal struggles that go beyond a single moment in time.
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