COLEBROOK, NH — A traffic stop for a lane violation led to an immigration arrest on NH Route 26 on March 8, 2026.
Officer Bishop of the Colebrook Police Department observed a vehicle cross the double yellow line into the oncoming lane at approximately 11:05 p.m.
The driver was identified as Ismael Mendez Lopez, 48, of Mexico.
During the stop, questions arose about vehicle ownership, as Mendez Lopez was not the registered owner and could not identify who owned the vehicle.
Further investigation determined Mendez Lopez was illegally present in the United States and had crossed into the country from Mexico.
Mendez Lopez was removed from the vehicle for field sobriety testing based on his driving behavior and bloodshot eyes, but the officer determined he was not impaired.
He was arrested and the vehicle was towed and impounded.
Mendez Lopez was issued a summons for the yellow line violation while being processed at the Colebrook Police Department.
He was transferred to the custody of the Manchester ICE Sub-Office in the mid-morning hours of March 9.
The ownership of the vehicle remains under investigation.
The Colebrook Police Department participates in the 287G ICE Task Force program, which allows local officers to act as federal task force officers with authority to identify, detain and arrest individuals present in the country illegally.
