BajaNomad - SECONDARY - Riddle me this.

SECONDARY - Riddle me this.

Fatboy - 4-13-2017 at 07:01 AM

I am sent to secondary inspection coming back from Mexico about 20% of the time.

It seems like a lot to me.

I have even been directed back into Baja because my car was too dirty.

I know that no one really knows but any insight might be helpful.

Me, I am a 52 year old white guy with no criminal record other than traffic tickets, maybe a speeding ticket every 10 years or so.

Am I just unlucky or is it actually normal to be pulled aside that often or?

Crossed yesterday and was again sent to secondary.

The funny part is that I am 'clean' as they come as far as drugs. I rarely drink, have never done any drugs, not even Bill Clinton style.

If someone told any of my friends that I did any sort of drugs, they would respond just the same as if you told them you have a pet Bigfoot.

I have had a passport for thirty years and don't travel to countries that might be red flag type. Mainly just Canada and Mexico.

Any thoughts?

Lee - 4-13-2017 at 07:15 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Fatboy

I am sent to secondary inspection coming back from Mexico about 20% of the time.

It seems like a lot to me.

I have even been directed back into Baja because my car was too dirty.

I know that no one really knows but any insight might be helpful.

Me, I am a 52 year old white guy with no criminal record other than traffic tickets, maybe a speeding ticket every 10 years or so.

Am I just unlucky or is it actually normal to be pulled aside that often or?

Crossed yesterday and was again sent to secondary.

The funny part is that I am 'clean' as they come as far as drugs. I rarely drink, have never done any drugs, not even Bill Clinton style.

If someone told any of my friends that I did any sort of drugs, they would respond just the same as if you told them you have a pet Bigfoot.

I have had a passport for thirty years and don't travel to countries that might be red flag type. Mainly just Canada and Mexico.

Any thoughts?

Lots of reasons -- unfortunately you may never know the reason(s). Profiling is a big one. Luck of the draw is next. I've been to secondary going south but not north -- except when driving my RV -- then expect it every time.

Try another entry crossing if it bothers you. More detail about what happens at secondary would be helpful.

DENNIS - 4-13-2017 at 07:17 AM

There was a time when I got secondary every time I went trough the San Ysidro gate in my simple looking Toyota Celica. Finally, one of the inspectors had the decency to tell me it was because my front license plate was bent back and the scanner couldn't read it. he got down, bent it back by hand, and I never again got a red light.

Enrique2012 - 4-13-2017 at 07:29 AM

I would love to hear more about being turned around and sent back into MX because your car was too dirty. It sounds too ridiculous to believe.

Could you please elaborate?

RnR - 4-13-2017 at 07:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Fatboy

Only 20% of the time....?

I will gladly trade places with you. We have come across the southern US border 30+ times over the last twenty years and have been sent to secondary EVERY single time!

Doesn't matter if it is Tecate, Otay, or San Ysidro.

I have gotten two fairly consistent answers when I have asked an agent as to why. (That is, when they will answer) -

1. You have an enclosed trailer - (As in, if the guy in the booth can not see what is inside from the booth - somebody has to take a look.)

2. You have been in Mexico a long time. (Usually 4-6 months per trip.)

They have never "found" anything and the secondary inspection has always been very superficial. Usually on our way in under three minutes AFTER an agent comes over to take a look.

Just as an aside -

We have crossed from Canada into the US at least a dozen times and have been just waved through EVERY time. And, we are towing the same enclosed trailer.

Just another fun thing about visiting Mexico.....

sancho - 4-13-2017 at 07:43 AM

R&R, does US Customs have the info on their screen
as to how long you have been in Mex? or did you
respond to a ? from them re: length of trip?

Howard - 4-13-2017 at 07:54 AM

I am convinced that it mostly depends on the type of vehicle that you drive.

In my RV, South Dakota plated,I am sent into secondary 100% of the time.

In my larger (Explorer) SUV I would estimate was sent into secondary 50% of the time. My California license plate is a combat wounded plate.

In my Saturn Vue (Smaller) I would estimate I am sent into secondary less than 25% of the time. My California license plate is combat wounded plate as well.

rts551 - 4-13-2017 at 08:01 AM

If they can not see into the vehicle, its a no brainer. If there is a flag on your record (ever been sent to secondary before because of something in your vehicle?). or profile.

A number of years ago I was asked why the frequent crossings...explained I was a part time resident and had a house. No problem - he made a note in the record and I have not gone to secondary since.

multiple records come up on the screen but most importantly your car history and your passport/name history.

Fatboy - 4-13-2017 at 08:10 AM

Thanks for the responses. To answer some of the questions....

All my secondary experiences have been simple, they walk the dog around, ask me to open the hood and the back, walk the dog around again. Ask me were I been and were I am going and send me on my way.

I been to secondary at San Luis, Mexicali, and Tecate.

My experience getting kicked out....
Christmas eve with 15 year old daughter we were coming back from central Baja after some rains and since I tend to go to more remote areas the jeep, top and bottom were muddy.

At secondary they said the jeep was to dirty to inspect and they took down the barricades and instructed us to go back into Mexico and clean it if we wanted to come back. Can I call them A-holes?

[Edited on 4-13-2017 by Fatboy]

Can I call them A-holes?

Howard - 4-13-2017 at 08:14 AM

Yes, with a capital A! I would of got his name and sent a letter to their supervisor.

Fatboy - 4-13-2017 at 08:15 AM

Never found anything in my vehicle, the last ten years a jeep Cherokee and I make sure to roll down all the windows before rolling up to the booth.

This trip I had to hiking backpack, a pelican case and a rolling luggage bag so it is not crammed full at all.

At least it is good to here from others that they to have to go to secondary more than their fair share.

MMc - 4-13-2017 at 08:22 AM

I have been sent back because of dirt. Border control doesn't want us to bring to much dirt back as there could be Wee Beasties in it, they could affect our crops and such. In the winter with the rains I just stop and give it a good house down or take it to a car wash.

CBC has all kinds of info on your crossing habits, the more you go to secondary the more likely you are to go back. I you spend more than a month south with a camper/RV expect to go to secondary.

nbentley1 - 4-13-2017 at 08:25 AM

We've been warned about too dirty when crossing in Tecate but not sent back

AKgringo - 4-13-2017 at 08:47 AM

I only cross once or twice a year, and in 2015 not at all, but I have never been sent to secondary by the US or Mexico! Even when I was pulling my small utility trailer they have accepted my word that it was just camping gear.

I never thought about being turned around for a dirty rig, but one of the things I look forward to on my way north is getting my car detailed one last time for about the price of going to a coin-op car wash!

I always have my sunglasses off, and wait for their questions rather than trying to give them a trip report. I don't know if it is a factor, but I have a large, overly friendly dog along for the ride.

Edit; A typical trip for me is two months SOB, sometimes longer, and the shortest trip was three weeks.

[Edited on 4-13-2017 by AKgringo]

David K - 4-13-2017 at 08:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by nbentley1

We've been warned about too dirty when crossing in Tecate but not sent back

I, as well, was told that the excessive dirt (caked on mud from the lagoon behind Shell Island) could get me sent back, but he let me cross that time (a dozen years ago). I now take the time to find a car wash place in Baja... preferably with a power jet, to clean the outside. Just 'normal road dirt' doesn't raise an eyebrow. The reason also was that the mud could conceal bugs.

As for the Secondary thing, I have been pretty lucky as to how few times considering the number of Baja trips I have driven the past 44 years!

Here is my formula for border crossing:
*Remove dark glasses so they can see your eyes. Don't lie.
*Have the passport(s) in your hand, offering them to the officer.
*Roll down all windows so the officer can easily see into the vehicle before getting to the booth.
*Be prepared for telling him how long you were in (or when you entered) Mexico and if you have anything obtained in Mexico or are bringing back anything that may be prohibited (even if from the U.S.).

Prohibited includes:
More than one quart (liter) of alcohol (3 cans of beer) per person [Calif. residents].
Firewood (including U.S. store bought, shrink wrapped bundles).
Pork (opened packages of U.S. pork lunch meat included), Chicken, Eggs, most Fruit.
Plants (with any soil or dirt on the roots).
Birds
+ Anything illegal!

The most ludicrous reason given was a few years ago when the newbie agent didn't know limes were permitted (I declared I had a few limes), and he said since limes are "like oranges" he sent me to Secondary... After waiting 15 min for the Ag inspector to come to the truck, she looked at the note he put on the windshield, said loudly "LIMES?" and sent me on my way, with a laugh! [since then, I don't bring any plant food back across the border, just to avoid the wait in Secondary]

It just isn't worth the time on the last day of a vacation to go through an ordeal going back to your own country. The last trip, at the U.S. border, "seashells or anything off the beach" was mentioned!
I just don't bring anything back anymore.

[Edited on 4-13-2017 by David K]

KurtG - 4-13-2017 at 09:27 AM

Quote: Originally posted by nbentley1

We've been warned about too dirty when crossing in Tecate but not sent back

Both myself and friends have been turned back for too much dirt in years past. I now have the vehicle washed before the border if needed.

RnR - 4-13-2017 at 09:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

R&R, does US Customs have the info on their screen
as to how long you have been in Mex? or did you
respond to a ? from them re: length of trip?

US Customs has a lot of information on their screens. And, it is also available to Canadian Customs... (See the second half of this post)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

US Customs always ask how long you have been in Mexico, but, they already know the answer from their screens.

Your plate/vehicle is scanned on the US side going south. (at least at San Ysidro)

One time I answered that I had been in Mexico about six weeks. The US Border agent responded that "it looked more like four months".

Actually, the vehicle HAD been in Mexico for four months.

I had flown back to the US after two months, and then flown back to Mexico about six weeks prior to driving back. That explained my six weeks/four month scenario but he seemed to already know that info, also.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

And here is something that you may find really interesting about Big Brother -

One year, we left Mexico in late May and headed directly to Alaska. We crossed the southern US border from Mexico at Tecate, switched the cargo trailer for our travel trailer in Nevada, and then headed north towards Alaska.

We crossed the northern US border into Canada nine days after we had crossed the southern US border from Mexico.

Canadian Customs already knew this information!

They asked a few general questions about our travel plans and then switched to some pretty pointed questions about Mexico and our quick transit time through the US.

After about five minutes at the booth, we were sent on our way with a "Welcome to Canada" and "enjoy your visit."

No secondary. Just an Aquatic Invasive Species inspection on the kayak .....

[Edited on 4-13-2017 by RnR]

ehall - 4-13-2017 at 10:08 AM

I think too much mud prevents them from seeing if the vehicle underside has been tampered with. I have been warned but have never went to secondary.

TMW - 4-13-2017 at 10:11 AM

I seldom get sent to secondary. My last trip a week ago I came back thru Mexicali West and the border agent didn't ask me anything just looked at my passport and said have a good day.

The times I have been sent to secondary were for a variety of reasons.

Didn't know how many beers I was bringing back, I told them 2 or 3.
Secondary agent said always be specific even if you don't know.

They found two avocados in ice chest. They read me the riot act and a couple of pages of what not to bring back.

A large fire log from the mountains east of Bakersfield. They wanted to know where it was from. How long in Baja. Where I went with it. They suggested I never bring any wood back into the US and I haven't.

The last time I went to secondary was at Tecate. The radiation detector as you enter showed radiation on or in my truck. A lady with what looked like a radar gun went over my truck with a fine tooth comb. She asked me several questions about where I had been etc. Nothing found so away I went.

The most interesting one was when I had my truck stolen and I was bringing it back after it had been found. I had all the paper work and keep both hands on the steering wheel as I approached the booth at Otay. I noticed he keep watching me even as he dealt with the car in front of me. Agent keep his right hand on his gun. Had me pull forward while he closed the gate. Had me drive with him walking me to secondary. Once there I was told to stay in the truck and about 45 minutes later two San Diego cops showed up and about 20 minutes later I was on my way.

soylent_green - 4-13-2017 at 11:11 AM

SENTRI with muddy truck - never have said a word to me.

I only get sent into secondary when I'm randomly selected, and the officers apologize more or less. 1 out of maybe 50 crossings I'd guess.

If you are getting sent 20% of the time, something seems off. Maybe your name is flagged because someone else with the same name is a gangsta.

[Edited on 4-13-2017 by soylent_green]

soylent_green - 4-13-2017 at 11:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

The last time I went to secondary was at Tecate. The radiation detector as you enter showed radiation on or in my truck. A lady with what looked like a radar gun went over my truck with a fine tooth comb. She asked me several questions about where I had been etc. Nothing found so away I went.

i know someone who has gotten radioactive iodine treatments for followup to thyroid cancer. That sets off the alarm often times.

Maderita - 4-13-2017 at 11:35 AM

The list of restricted items includes "soil." That is their (stated) issue with mud on the vehicle.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/pr...

I've been turned back or warned due to mud on a 4x4 vehicle. I always carry an extra 5 gallons of water. That can gets drained to wash the big chunks off the side of the truck/van/Jeep with a rag or squeegee. I use a stick to scrape out the heavy chunks in the wheel wells and on the tail pipe. The remaining 30 lbs. of mud underneath the vehicle seems to get by without a problem.

Do not volunteer the information that you have been on a ranch, unless asked directly. That becomes problematic, probably over concern for transmission of cattle diseases.

One time, I had a few river rocks. Pulled out of a sandy arroyo, they were almost clean enough to eat off of. Got sent to secondary by a newbie officer who considered them to be "soil." The veteran officer at secondary laughed at that and apologized for the inconvenience.
From CBP:
"Soil is considered the loose surface material of the earth in which plants, trees, and scrubs grow. In most cases, the soil consists of disintegrated rock with an admixture of organic material and soluble salts. Soil is prohibited entry unless accompanied by an import permit. Soil must be declared and the permit must be verified."

David K - 4-13-2017 at 12:08 PM

Online today is this from this link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/plant_health/2011/fs...

October 2012
Mexican Land
Border Import Guide:
Agricultural Items for
Personal Use

Are you crossing the border from Mexico into the
United States? If so, are you carrying any meats,
fruits, vegetables, living plant material, soil, live
animals, or plant and animal products? Be aware of
such items because you may unknowingly be carrying
damaging plant and animal pests and diseases that
pose a major threat to U.S. food crops and livestock.

As a traveler, you must declare upon entry into the
United States any agricultural items to the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and
Border Protection (CBP). Failure to declare agricultural
items contained in your baggage, hand luggage, or
vehicle—regardless of origin—may cause travel delays
and result in spot fines of up to $1,000.

The following is a partial list of fruits and vegetables
that are allowed entry into the United States from
Mexico for personal consumption, but only after they
have passed inspection and have been found free
of any pests or diseases:

• Aloe vera leaves
• Avocados—without seeds (no avocados are
admitted into California)
• Bananas
• Berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and
strawberries)
• Cabbage
• Corn and corn smut galls
• Dates
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Herbs (cilantro, mint, rosemary, sage, and
watercress)
• Jicama
• Lemons, Persian limes, and sour limes—all
lemons/limes must be washed; no leaves or stems
• Lettuce and spinach
• Melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon)
• Nuts (acorns, almonds, cocoa beans, chestnuts,
coconuts [without husks or milk], peanuts, pecans,
piñon [pinenut], and walnuts)
• Onions (including green onions and chives)
• Peppers (bell, chili, and jalapeno peppers;
manzano peppers are not allowed)
• Pineapples
• Potatoes, yams, and sweet potatoes (cooked only)
• Prickly pears (nopales pad or tuna fruit; pitaya are
not allowed)
• Sugarcane “chews”—peeled without nodes
• Tamarind bean pods
• Tomatoes and tomatillos

This list of admissible products is subject to change.
For more information or for a complete list, please
visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) online fruit
and vegetable import requirements database at www.
aphis.usda.gov/favir. Under the “Country” search,
type “Mexico” and select a particular commodity for
more information. Open the Commodity Import Report
(CIR) to see the detailed import requirements for the
item selected.

Live Plants and Seeds
Plants and seeds imported for propagation require
a phytosanitary certificate from the Government of
Mexico. The import of any soil is prohibited.

Meats and Animal Products
The following types of meats and animal products are
allowed to be imported: canned shelf-stable pork,
canned shelf-stable poultry, beef, and thoroughly
cooked poultry.

Other meats, animal products, animal
trophies, and scientific or research samples may
require an import permit, government certification,
or transport to an APHIS-approved establishment
for additional treatment to prevent the introduction of
animal diseases. APHIS-approved establishments will
treat materials against anthrax and other diseases.

Live Birds
To import pet or wild/game birds, please visit
www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/
to obtain contact information for local USDA offices
responsible for imported birds. All imported birds,
including chickens, are subject to quarantine in a
USDA facility.

Additional Information
Remember, you must declare all agricultural items,
including fruits and vegetables, meat and animal
products, live animals, plant and plant products, and
seeds, even if the items are listed as admissible in
this publication.

Mexitron - 4-13-2017 at 12:28 PM

I worked in Bulgaria (when it was communist still) in 1988 helping to install some disk drive conveyor systems manufactured by a US firm--we knew the FBI was watching us since it was hi-tech being delivered to a Russian satellite. After that I was put through secondary a couple times but then I seemed to be off the watchlist.
In 1996 Brooks Smith and I were building a fish smoker out of beach rocks deep in the Seven Sisters when a Humvee full of Federales drove up--they were naturally interested in what we were building--we think they thought it was some kind of signal flare for drug smugglers. They were cordial though, as were we, and left us alone, but when we crossed the US border there was no question from the inspector--he flagged us for secondary immediately. So we think the Federales must have radioed them our license plate as being suspicious. Got pulled over to secondary a couple of times after that but since then its been only an occasional thing.

MMc - 4-13-2017 at 02:19 PM

When I had a place at San Miguel there was a note on it in the system. If I said, I was coming Ensenada they would ask me to be more specific. I was surfing with a border guard the day before and when I went through his lane, he made a note of it. Later when I asked him how much info. they had on me when I crossed he wouldn't say other than "A lot more than you would think".

BajaNaranja - 4-13-2017 at 02:21 PM

I know somebody who was getting hit with repeat secondary visits all of a sudden. He was eventually able to get it out of the inspector that they were getting radiation readings from his vehicle.

Long story short, he'd been carrying an old military compass, and old military compasses can contain tritium or radium, which was used to illuminate the hands of the compass, watch dials, and other instruments. He stopped carrying mil compass, no more secondary visits.

gsbotanico - 4-13-2017 at 02:37 PM

I've crossed the border at least one time per week, and sometimes 2-3 times, for the last 25 years and rarely get sent to secondary. The original post didn't say which lanes were used. I assume the regular lanes. Now in the Sentri lanes I get sent to secondary about once in 2 years by random selection of the computer.

I'm often ask what kind of work I do. When I say agricultural consultant, it frequently provokes a whole string of questions. Caked on mud is a no no. Most of the rules have to do with preventing the introduction of exotic pests of all kinds. I once crossed with a bunch of snapdragon flowers. I knew they were being exported to the US legally. I was the consultant on the ranch growing them! I was sent to Secondary and waited about 30 minutes while the agents looked it up and was then allowed to proceed with the flowers. No more flowers. I don't want to sit in Secondary.

The original post sounds like profiling. I suspect the beat up dirty vehicle arouses suspicions. Old vehicles are commonly used by drug runners.

Lots of good suggestions above to facilitate a fast crossing. Always take off sunglasses and look the agent directly in the eyes. Only answer the questions asked. Too much talking is perceived as hiding something.

DENNIS - 4-13-2017 at 02:53 PM

Moooy correct. If you seem nervous you may be considered a candidate for further inspection. That's the reason they sometimes ask nonsense questions. They don't care about the answer....only how you sound when you give one.

David K - 4-13-2017 at 03:23 PM

I think I have been asked where I went to high school or the name of the high school once!

The worst case was some oddball officer at Tecate who asked me if "Mulegé was were all the gringos live?" after I told him that's where I was (easier than saying 'Bahía Concepción'). He didn't know Mulegé any more than San Felipe, which was my reply as to where more 'gringos' lived. "Gringos", seriously?

Another different exchange came from a Tecate officer in 2011, El Vergel and I just arrived at the border and the officer said, "They just killed Osama Bin Ladin" and after a quick question swap, sent us on into the USA.

DanO - 4-13-2017 at 03:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS

Moooy correct. If you seem nervous you may be considered a candidate for further inspection. That's the reason they sometimes ask nonsense questions. They don't care about the answer....only how you sound when you give one.

Yep. During one of my pre-SENTRI secondary visits (since I've had SENTRI I've gotten only a handful of random directs to secondary), the inspector came over after about 25 minutes of me just sitting there and asked about my truck -- engine displacement, gas mileage, offroad performance, etc. -- then sent me on my way. The funniest (if you can all it that) visit to secondary was when I went through Otay for the first time and accidentally drove into secondary myself, without having been sent there. Three different guys came out. The first two were convinced I was up to something because nobody could be that stupid, and made me wait 15 minutes each for another guy. The third one just laughed, moved a couple of barriers and told me to get out of there.

TecateRay - 4-13-2017 at 07:59 PM

After spending nearly 40 years as a federal civil servant there is one important lesson: NEVER try to apply logic to a government process!
No, I never worked for the customs or border people, but the rule seems to apply across all large beauracracies.

Fatboy - 4-14-2017 at 07:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TecateRay

After spending nearly 40 years as a federal civil servant there is one important lesson: NEVER try to apply logic to a government process!
No, I never worked for the customs or border people, but the rule seems to apply across all large beauracracies.

Probably the best advice .... it might be just the luck of the universe .... seems others go way more often .... the best is just to roll with and wonder why we exist instead why are they sending me to secondary ....

Thanks to all that replied.

J.P. - 4-14-2017 at 12:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soylent_green

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

i know someone who has gotten radioactive iodine treatments for followup to thyroid cancer. That sets off the alarm often times.

I have a friend that has occasional radiation treatments The Dr.gives him a as he calls it a get out of jail card. I have Ben with him when we go through the check point on I. -8 the agents have a beeper on their belt that goes off. he shows them the card and off we go.

tjsue - 4-15-2017 at 10:47 AM

When I lived in Tijuana, every time I crossed the border to go to San Diego, I was sent to secondary. This was walking and driving.

One officer tried to figure out what the problem was by asking questions It turned out that the newbie officer that rejected me for my Sentri, put a notation next to my name in the computer that said, "send to secondary."

They never found anything, and both of the dogs never found anything. I appealed it, and 30 days later, I was out of the computer. I received a letter in the mail that has "reasons" as to why I was singled out to go to secondary.

But none of them were the real reason.

Paulina - 4-15-2017 at 04:17 PM

We crossed at Tecate a couple of weeks ago or so, and were told that the computer chose us to go to secondary inspection. It's that dang technology to blame!

P>*)))>{

unbob - 4-19-2017 at 08:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by MMc

CBC has all kinds of info on your crossing habits, the more you go to secondary the more likely you are to go back. I you spend more than a month south with a camper/RV expect to go to secondary.

I don't doubt what you say - but I stay 6-months and for the first time after 12 northbound crossings (all at Tecate) I was not forced to secondary! I've always had the same truck/camper with the same license plates. They've never found anything during secondary inspection - so maybe they've given up on me!

soylent_green - 4-19-2017 at 01:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DanO

... The funniest (if you can all it that) visit to secondary was when I went through Otay for the first time and accidentally drove into secondary myself, without having been sent there. Three different guys came out. The first two were convinced I was up to something because nobody could be that stupid, and made me wait 15 minutes each for another guy. The third one just laughed, moved a couple of barriers and told me to get out of there.

that reminded me of this situation:
woman with meth in her car is given the OK at the gate, but drives into secondary
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/dumbest-drug-sm...

John Harper - 4-19-2017 at 02:01 PM

Many years ago my buddy and I came back in my old VW bus, carrying a mounted sailfish that he had caught in Cabo, sent to taxidermy in Ensenada, and finally we picked up in at the old Plueger place. This was months after the fish was caught.

The sailfish was laying on the bed I had in the back of my van, held in place by a few pieces of wood the Plueger folks fastened to hold it in place. This thing was about 7 feet long or more. Took up the whole back of the van behind the front seats.

Got sent to secondary. First, it was Customs, wanting to know the value of the fish. Next, came DEA, wanting to know what was inside the fish. Last, was DFG, wanting to see paperwork for the fish. It took about 2 hours or so to get inspected by the three organizations.

My buddy has never returned to Mexico, he had enough after that.

John

[Edited on 4-19-2017 by John Harper]

mtgoat666 - 4-19-2017 at 02:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Many years ago my buddy and I secondary.

It took about 2 hours or so to get inspected by the three organizations.

My buddy has never returned to Mexico, he had enough after that.

You have to be a real diva to refuse to ever travel again because of 2 hours of inconvenience!

willardguy - 4-19-2017 at 02:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Many years ago my buddy and I secondary.

It took about 2 hours or so to get inspected by the three organizations.

My buddy has never returned to Mexico, he had enough after that.

You have to be a real diva to refuse to ever travel again because of 2 hours of inconvenience!

and ironically, mexico had nothing to do with it!

John Harper - 4-19-2017 at 05:56 PM

Some folks can deal with it, others can't. Like any new experience. Just part of what happens once in a while.

I love it down there. Always have, always will. Especially after my recent trip.

John

[Edited on 4-20-2017 by John Harper]