James and Chico DeBarge Arrested in Burbank on Drug Charges

James DeBarge, 63, and Chico DeBarge, 60, were arrested in Burbank, California, on September 1, 2026, on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance. The arrest occurred around 1:30 a.m. when Burbank police observed a Chevy Tahoe towing a Nissan SUV without license plates. James was driving the Tahoe, while Chico was in the towed Nissan. Police discovered narcotics at the scene, leading to the arrests of both brothers. Neither was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the stop. Chico also had an outstanding warrant, though details regarding the warrant were not disclosed. This incident adds to Chico's history of legal troubles, including multiple previous arrests for drug-related offenses dating back to 1988. James has also faced legal issues, including a hit-and-run incident in 2013 and a drug possession arrest in 2014. The DeBarge family has a history of legal issues, with other siblings also experiencing similar challenges. Chico has addressed his struggles with addiction in his music, including his album 'Addiction.'