Top 10 Reasons Your Car Got Stopped and Searched on I-10

Marisol Quijano Buckley
Nov 3
3 min read

Why Did Police Stop & Search Me on I-10 in South Mississippi?

10 Reasons You Need to Know

It’s never a good day when you’re driving through South Mississippi on I-10 and suddenly see flashing lights in your rearview mirror. Many of my clients ask, “Why did they stop me — and what made them decide to search my car?”

In this video, Marisol Quijano Buckley from the Law Offices of Sean Buckley in Gulfport, Mississippi breaks down the Top 10 reasons drivers get stopped and searched, from common traffic violations to red flags that law enforcement looks for. Don't miss this one! 📞 228-933-4411 📍 Serving Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and South Mississippi 🌐 www.SeanBuckleyLaw.com ⚖️ Know your rights: An officer pulling you over does not automatically have the right to search your car. Understanding the law can protect you from unlawful searches and help you make smart decisions on the road.

Here’s the truth: most highway patrol officers along I-10 aren’t looking for speeders — they’re hunting for drug traffickers and cash couriers. If you were stopped and searched, it’s likely something about your car or your behavior triggered suspicion.

Below are 10 common “red flags” that law enforcement may use to justify a stop or search:

You were driving a rental car.
Your vehicle had out-of-state plates or dealer tags.
You displayed religious, patriotic, or pro-law-enforcement stickers, which police sometimes (wrongly) interpret as attempts to appear “law-abiding.”
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) data flagged your vehicle for traveling along known drug routes in recent weeks.
Your vehicle appeared on a law-enforcement “Hot List”, and ALPR cameras along I-10 sent a hit alert to local police.
After the stop, ALPR data didn’t match your stated travel route — a common sign officers look for.
Officers noticed numerous fast-food containers, implying you avoided stopping and leaving your vehicle unattended.
Your key ring only had a car key or fob, with no house or personal keys attached.
Police noticed fresh bodywork or loose interior panels, suggesting possible hidden compartments.
You appeared nervous or overly defensive when questioned.

These are just a few examples of what can lead to a stop or search on I-10. Unfortunately, many innocent drivers are caught in aggressive drug-interdiction efforts — sometimes leading to wrongful arrests or illegal searches.

Charged After an I-10 Stop or Search in South Mississippi?

If you were stopped, searched, and charged anywhere along I-10 in Gulfport, Biloxi, or Hattiesburg, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer who understands federal and state interdiction tactics — and how to challenge them in court.

Sean Buckley is one of Mississippi’s most respected criminal defense attorneys, with over 25 years of experience handling federal and state criminal cases, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy charges.

He is A.V.-Rated, recognized by Mid-South Super Lawyers for the past 10 years, and listed among the Most Honored Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers in America.