BajaNomad

update on San Ignacio checkpoint?

JohnGaltSpeaking - 7-26-2019 at 05:16 PM

i am going to La Paz in a coulpe of weeks and remembered how bad san ignacio checkpoint was reported on this forum. does anyone know if it has since been changed? or do i need to still watch all my stuff when they check?

[Edited on 7-27-2019 by JohnGaltSpeaking]

David K - 7-26-2019 at 05:20 PM

You should always watch your stuff...
It seemed to be better after I was accused of transporting marijuana there, in 2015!
That is, until a recent post that that checkpoint was like 20 minutes search, both directions.

JohnGaltSpeaking - 7-26-2019 at 05:38 PM

so it's still bad huh? that sucks. nothing like a 20 minute search in the middle of august. ball busting at it's finest.

Bob and Susan - 7-26-2019 at 05:44 PM

July 5 going north didn't even have to get out of the car

July 11 said hello...waved thru … did not have to get out of car

Paco Facullo - 7-26-2019 at 07:30 PM

Last month Southbound only asked where I was coming from and going to.
Then Northbound a 5 minute search....

Lee - 7-26-2019 at 08:05 PM

Nothing is going on at the SI checkpoint. Sometimes they do more thorough searches, sometimes not. They profile.

When I drive through, solo or with wife, we're searched in both directions. When she's driving, talk but no searches. Couple months ago, we both drove but she drove through the checkpoints from LP to Tecate going N. Talk but no searches.

Depends on the shift. Hide anything that can be pocketed. Applies to all checkpoints.

baja Steve - 7-26-2019 at 08:30 PM

I went through 4 times last week and was asked where I came from and going. Very friendly and no problems

chumlee57 - 7-26-2019 at 08:31 PM

I agree with what Lee says, be careful at every checkpoint. San Ignacio, yup, always a little sketchy, but only from what I have heard. If you are legit and don't have anything, be cool and look right into the accusers eye and state in fair spanish "no tengo nada ilegal, su insinuacion es bastante poca profesional" it's a simple shakedown, if you get too excited, it works for them. Too many travelers think that Mexico is typical of many other 'progressive countries' its not, the pay scale is poverty level at professional levels. It's slowly changing, and thank god. Most people ( the vast majority of people ) are as honest as the day is bright. I've never heard of a bogus accusation leading to anything other than a slight delay, please reply if I am wrong about this

BajaUtah - 7-26-2019 at 08:52 PM

Week before last both north and southbound only asked what was in my cooler - didn’t even look when I said water and sodas - asked where I was going and that was it. Never even stepped out of the car at any of the check points.

JohnGaltSpeaking - 7-26-2019 at 08:54 PM

i get the whole checkpoint thing. i was just curious as to the san ignacio checkpoint specifically, considering it was a huge topic a while back. i was wondering if all of the complaints amounted to anything of substance in regards to the soldiers behavior.

David K - 7-26-2019 at 09:13 PM

I went through San Ignacio six times in 2017 and twice a couple months ago, all were non events.

defrag4 - 7-27-2019 at 08:37 AM

Drove up and back down from Loreto to the border about a month ago in my RV, got searched at every checkpoint including SI on the way up, I always get up in the camper with them and watch everything.

San Ignacio checkpoint the guy actually told me to come in with him to watch him search, which I was planning to anyway, maybe they are trying to turn their image around?

no searches heading southbound, its a crap shoot

greta-inbaja - 7-28-2019 at 03:24 PM

Going south mid april just a wave through. Going north late June was a very brief, polite search of bags. We travel with a German shepherd.. Always a few smile/grimaces when we pull up with her between us. I’m always afraid I will jinx our luck. Never a problem in San Ignacio, never a problem in Cuidad Constitucion.

billklaser - 7-28-2019 at 03:52 PM

Went through SI checkpoint going south on Friday. Asked where we were going & let us through no inspection. We drive a crewcab pickup with a short shell on the bed. Lots of things in it. This has been typical the last year. Ususally going north is an inspection, but short and everyone has been friendly.

BajaMama - 7-31-2019 at 10:18 AM

Mid-June everything was a-okay there. The usual where am I coming from and where am I going. Am I on vacation? Yes! Always yes. But I am an older woman traveling solo. Maybe that helps?

Nikno - 8-7-2019 at 11:59 AM

I have passed through that checkpoint 5 or 6 times in the past 2 years. During the day it is never a problem. There is usually a lot of activity around the military barracks and the higher ups are around and keeping an eye on things.

At night is a different story. Once due to car trouble and once due to scheduling issues I ended up passing through the check point quite late. Both times I was hassled and my car searched quite thoroughly. The most recent time, in late June, I passed through around midnight and was held up for about 30 minutes. They kept searching and asking me if I had marijuana or drogas. Every once in a while they would find something they liked and asked me if they could keep it. I just laughed and said no each time. It was a bit intimidating but I knew they wouldn't find anything. Finally they let me go.

There are all sorts of reasons to not drive at night in Baja, but avoiding getting hassled at the San Ignacio check point is near the top of my list. I have passed through other check points at night with no issues.

Bob and Susan - 8-7-2019 at 05:38 PM

I pass thru Saturday night...no problems...didn't even have to get out of the car

returned today...in the morning...no problems...fast and courteous

BajaParrothead - 8-7-2019 at 06:03 PM

May 26 SB, they just waved me through. June 9 NB, brief discussion, didn't get out of the car and was on my way. 20 second delay was all.

CJ - 8-7-2019 at 06:23 PM

We passed through on Monday I rolled the windows down, the two young soldiers said they liked my dogs and asked where I was going.....said to my house in Loreto. They said “tiene un buen dia”

Goyo - 9-26-2019 at 06:57 PM

For the first time since 1995, I ventured deep into Baja Sur about three weeks ago (around Sept. 7). None of the military checkpoints to the north were inspecting southbound vehicles at the times I went by them. But this was not the case at the SI checkpoint.

The truck in front of me was also a solo surfer guy who looked to be around 50. I'm in my mid-50s. They spent 15 minutes going through all his stuff. Then it was my turn. As always, I remove my sunglasses out of respect and I let them observe me doing such just before I come to a stop.

The primary guy asked me to get out of my truck. He noticed I had something in each front pocket of my shorts and asked me what I had. I pulled out my two wallets - one with dollars and real stuff, and the other is a decoy with a few pesos and an old copy of a CDL). He didn't ask for them, but he asked for my driver's license then wrote my name and CDL# on their manifest.

Then the other guy went to the passenger side of my truck and started looking through my stuff. He then calls me over to that side. As soon as I walked around, he had my passenger seat tilted forward and was bent down behind the seat (in the Xtra Cab area). He reached down then said, "Marijuana" as he straightened up with his thumb and first finger P-nched together. I couldn't see anything between his fingers. My heart raced and I said it was impossible and that I don't smoke. His partner then comes over and says I'm in big trouble and that the Policia is going to come and handcuff me then take me to jail and they will take my truck. Again, I said, "Imposible, yo no fumo."

The partner then walked toward the back of my truck and the first guy points to my crotch and asks me something in Spanish that I couldn't understand other than "las ropas." I think he was asking to see what I had inside my shorts. And at that time, I remembered the story posted here where a Nomad was asked by the military guys to drop his drawers. Luckily, the partner came back over and the first guy didn't pursue his interest.

They had me move my truck over to the side so I didn't hold up the line of traffic behind me. They spent 15 minutes going through EVERYTHING in my truck cab area of my Toyota Tacoma. The first guy left and his partner spent an additional 15 minutes going through the back of my truck. Luckily he didn't pull out every single crate because that would have taken him an hour. When he finished he said I could go. I was totally relieved because I didn't know how far they were going to take the scam. I would imagine their objective was to get me scared so I would offer money. But I didn't offer money and they didn't ask for money. These two military guys were older men (maybe in their 40s?). I'm not going to lie ... that incident totally messed with my head for a couple of days. About 10 days later I came through again northbound. But it was younger guys who just asked a few questions and let me go after about two minutes.

I initially wasn't going to post this because there are a couple of guys on this forum who don't believe any negative story posted here. And to those guys, I apologize that I didn't have my spy-cam rolling so I could corroborate my story with video footage to satisfy you. But I decided to post anyway just to give others a heads up that this stuff is still going on at the SI checkpoint and whatever you do, never offer those guys money.

David K - 9-26-2019 at 09:05 PM

Thanks for posting. This happened to my wife and I, there in 2015. We were let go much quicker, however. If I didn't have as much love for Baja it easily could have been our last trip south.

tecatero - 9-27-2019 at 06:49 AM

Two weeks ago, military planted weed in side door of A surfboard shaper whom has a home in San Juanico. He told them it wasn’t his and that they put it there !,, brazen move but they let him go no fine. Hmmmmm

Pacifico - 9-27-2019 at 08:01 AM

Quote: Originally posted by tecatero  
Two weeks ago, military planted weed in side door of A surfboard shaper whom has a home in San Juanico. He told them it wasn’t his and that they put it there !,, brazen move but they let him go no fine. Hmmmmm


WOW! That would be scary!!! Imagine if the military guys pushed it...it would be your word against theirs! Not good...

mojo_norte - 9-27-2019 at 08:44 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Pacifico  
Quote: Originally posted by tecatero  
Two weeks ago, military planted weed in side door of A surfboard shaper whom has a home in San Juanico. He told them it wasn’t his and that they put it there !,, brazen move but they let him go no fine. Hmmmmm


WOW! That would be scary!!! Imagine if the military guys pushed it...it would be your word against theirs! Not good...


How far could they push it if they just want money off of you ? Demand a large fine - isn't that the roll of other authorities ? And isn't a small bit of weed technically legal ? I'd say the call is just stay cool as possible and vehemently deny anything .

SFandH - 9-27-2019 at 08:50 AM

Any place to report this? An ombudsman for tourists?

mojo_norte - 9-27-2019 at 08:58 AM

This has been going on for awhile at this particular checkpoint . Sorry to hear it's still occurring

Pacifico - 9-27-2019 at 09:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mojo_norte  
Quote: Originally posted by Pacifico  
Quote: Originally posted by tecatero  
Two weeks ago, military planted weed in side door of A surfboard shaper whom has a home in San Juanico. He told them it wasn’t his and that they put it there !,, brazen move but they let him go no fine. Hmmmmm


WOW! That would be scary!!! Imagine if the military guys pushed it...it would be your word against theirs! Not good...


How far could they push it if they just want money off of you ? Demand a large fine - isn't that the roll of other authorities ? And isn't a small bit of weed technically legal ? I'd say the call is just stay cool as possible and vehemently deny anything .


I agree...just saying I wouldn't want to be in that situation!

Lee - 9-27-2019 at 09:59 AM

These guys are punks.

Stop the inspection and demand the Commandante get involved.

Scared? They'll see that and keep pushing. Money? To stop the inspection?

Respectful but indignant comes to mind. Push back and call them out for their bullshlt.

4x4abc - 9-27-2019 at 10:04 AM

last time I wrote a number of mails to the commanders - they apologized and San Ignacio went quiet for a while.
Time to write again!
Venting here and letting us know is good - writing to the command post is better.
Also, get names from those military guys. Take pictures.

to direct your complaints and concerns:

Dirección General de Verificación y Sanción
Presidente Masaryk 172, Piso 5, Col. Bosques de Chapultepec
C. P. 11580, México, D. F.
Correo electrónico: quejas@sectur.gob.mx
Tel. (55) 3002-6300 Ext. 2380, 2381 y 2393

San Ignacio Checkpoint. All Complaints should go to the commandante 16/a. ZONA MILITAR.
CUARTEL GENERAL 16/a. Z.M. (SARABIA, GTO.).
01800-8311473
denuncia.16zm@mail.sedena.gob.mx

If you are going north, the Military group in charge is at Guerrero Negro on the side of the road by the big Mexico flag.

Here is the contact information for Guerrero Negro.
40/a. ZONA MILITAR.
CUARTEL GENERAL 40/a. Z.M. (GUERRERO NEGRO, B.C.S.).
01615-1570610 01800-8309531
denuncia.40zm@mail.sedena.gob.mx

https://www.facebook.com/SECTURBCS/?fref=gc&dti=60697612...

Secretary of Tourism, Baja Sur
Secretaría de Turismo de Baja California Sur
Departamento de Auxilio Turistico

Sr. Adolfo Gonzalez Garcia
Jefe del departamento de Auxilio Turistico

Phone: 01 (612) 124 - 0100 to 03
Fax: 01 (612) 124 - 0722

E-mail: turismo@gbcs.gob.mx

La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Km 51/2 Carretera al Norte Edificio Fidepa2
Apartado Postal # 419 CP. 23090

AKgringo - 9-27-2019 at 10:14 AM

I don't know if the streak will continue, but nobody has wanted to inspect my car since I got my new co-pilot. She has no guard dog attributes, other than being ninety pounds of muscle and bones with a large head!

Once (I think at San Ignacio) the officer I was talking to waved off the one approaching the car with a dog of their own. Several times in the past I would put my previous dog on a leash while the vehicle was searched, but with Bailey I have been waved through every stop without inspection.

Lee - 9-27-2019 at 10:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I don't know if the streak will continue, but nobody has wanted to inspect my car since I got my new co-pilot. She has no guard dog attributes, other than being ninety pounds of muscle and bones with a large head!


Last time through my wife was driving (she drives through all checkpoints now), but rolling up to the stop, gave my dog a command and she went ballistic. Back window was cracked, guy took a step back. Cracked me up.

ZipLine - 9-27-2019 at 11:21 AM

Someone previously wrote:

If you are legit and don't have anything, be cool and look right into the accusers eye and state in fair spanish "no tengo nada ilegal, su insinuacion es bastante poca profesional" it's a simple shakedown, if you get too excited, it works for them.

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

I like that approach - I tend to first laugh, just a natural reaction, then big smile and shake my head while saying no, and still laughing. I once had a soldier ask me if I was transporting guns and - really - it was just humorous I thought. They are just looking for a reaction. If you get all itchy and defensive, well... they are going to look further or try to do a shake down. If you show no fear at all and just smile, all tends to go well. Really, what would/should be a natural reaction if you were the guard and asking such questions?

Mostly these are just young kids, if you can give their day a chuckle and a smile, I think they appreciate it.


[Edited on 9-28-2019 by ZipLine]

John Harper - 9-27-2019 at 12:00 PM

Maybe chant "Eh Putos" at the soldiers? Paco Facullo says it's just a harmless chant in good humor. I don't know why they would take offense.

John

BajaTed - 9-27-2019 at 01:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Any place to report this? An ombudsman for tourists?


In theory, @ the lowest level, each Ejido has a "Sindictura" agent that is supposed to be used as a check and balance to the mayor and police chief to report and prevent corruption. In my 30 years in baja, i have met one F2F only once. I got his business card, one of my prized possessions.

BajaTed - 9-27-2019 at 01:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
I don't know if the streak will continue, but nobody has wanted to inspect my car since I got my new co-pilot. She has no guard dog attributes, other than being ninety pounds of muscle and bones with a large head!


Last time through my wife was driving (she drives through all checkpoints now), but rolling up to the stop, gave my dog a command and she went ballistic. Back window was cracked, guy took a step back. Cracked me up.


BTW, a "Mexican pistolo" is the non PC slang word for a big dog.

motoged - 9-27-2019 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
Maybe chant "Eh Putos" at the soldiers? Paco Facullo says it's just a harmless chant in good humor. I don't know why they would take offense.
John


:lol: :yes:

Goyo - 9-27-2019 at 08:10 PM

Thank you Harald for providing all the contact info. I want to let you all know that I just sent an email describing my experience to the four email addresses that Harald mentioned. Hopefully, it will have some type of positive effect. Thanks again Harald.

SFandH - 9-27-2019 at 11:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Goyo  
Thank you Harald for providing all the contact info. I want to let you all know that I just sent an email describing my experience to the four email addresses that Harald mentioned. Hopefully, it will have some type of positive effect. Thanks again Harald.


Good!

I have a copy of Harald's info tucked away and will do the same if need be. I'll be watching those guys closely when I drive through in October.

ZipLine - 9-28-2019 at 04:49 AM

Very helpful, Harald. Thank you!

Marc - 9-28-2019 at 08:03 AM

Sorry to hear. We went through going and coming in April/May and were waved through. Thought all this was done with.

[Edited on 9-28-2019 by Marc]

ncampion - 9-28-2019 at 10:39 AM

Went through Northbound on 9/26, all smiles, courteous and friendly, no actual inspection didn't take the car out of Drive. In fact no actual inspections all the way from Loreto to the border.

Lee - 9-28-2019 at 12:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Marc  
Sorry to hear. We went through going and coming in April/May and were waved through. Thought all this was done with.

[Edited on 9-28-2019 by Marc]


It IS done with but pops up every now and then when bad apples rotate through. If email writing does any good, those punks will be rotated somewhere else.

Let's be clear. These guys aren't your friends. Smile and yuck it up if it makes you feel good. The young soldiers are doing a job but I see them as opportunists. They probably think there's no real harm to lifting a pocket knife in the glove compartment, or any number of harmless things.

Fine.

I'm inconvenience at these checkpoints but that's the game. I want to get through without a lot of bullshlt. I don't like punks and bad apples rummaging through my gear.

I'm watching everything they do, I leave nothing they can pocket. I'm courteous and respectful and expect that returned.

I ID a bad apple around my car I'm stopping the inspection and asking for the Commandante. Someone plants mota in my vehicle they won't be getting off easy.

Howard - 9-28-2019 at 12:34 PM

Lee, you sound like Joe Friday! :biggrin:

We both were those "young punks" at one time, going to a country that didn't understand us and trying to do our job, whatever that was. The vast majority of us were polite and respectful but we also had some bad apples that tarnished our purpose and uniform.

I don't see this as any different, like us, kids far away from home for the first time, missing our friends and mamas cooking and doing what they were told to do.

Bad apples everywhere.

Semper Fi

[Edited on 9-28-2019 by Howard]

BajaRun - 9-28-2019 at 12:40 PM

I noticed a lot of the Militar wearing GoPro cameras when I came through in August. Cabo San Lucas to Tecate..

BajaBlanca - 9-28-2019 at 02:20 PM

Goyo

Thanks for sharing. That situation would upset me so much. We have Mexican license plates on all our cars since we are now Mexican citizens, and somehow, it seems to help.

When we do go thru the checkpoints, if there is a surfer in front of us, they seem to take longer inspecting their vehicle...maybe just my impression since we are quickly given a "gracias, tenga buen dia."

The fake mota makes my blood boil! Cruel and inconsiderate and WRONG.

AKgringo - 9-28-2019 at 02:27 PM

I went through a through a temporary check point set up near Ciudad Constitucion in 2016. They were only checking Mexican plated vehicles! I don't know what that was about, but the couple of us gringos in the line were almost given a 'hurry up' as we were waved through.

(edit) Come to think of it, a similar thing happened south of La Paz in 2014.

[Edited on 9-28-2019 by AKgringo]

JohnGaltSpeaking - 9-28-2019 at 03:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
Maybe chant "Eh Putos" at the soldiers? Paco Facullo says it's just a harmless chant in good humor. I don't know why they would take offense.

John


mic drop.

Goyo - 9-29-2019 at 08:02 PM

I'd like to follow-up a bit. I received delivery failure notices from two of the four intended recipients. The following must be dead email address:
quejas@sectur.gob.mx
turismo@gbcs.gob.mx

If I receive replies from the remaining two recipients, I'll let you all know.

SFandH - 9-29-2019 at 08:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Goyo  
I'd like to follow-up a bit. I received delivery failure notices from two of the four intended recipients. The following must be dead email address:
quejas@sectur.gob.mx
turismo@gbcs.gob.mx

If I receive replies from the remaining two recipients, I'll let you all know.


try turismo@bcs.gob.mx (no "g")

see: http://setuesbcs.gob.mx/directorio/

mtgoat666 - 9-29-2019 at 08:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Quote: Originally posted by Marc  
Sorry to hear. We went through going and coming in April/May and were waved through. Thought all this was done with.

[Edited on 9-28-2019 by Marc]


It IS done with but pops up every now and then when bad apples rotate through. If email writing does any good, those punks will be rotated somewhere else.

Let's be clear. These guys aren't your friends. Smile and yuck it up if it makes you feel good. The young soldiers are doing a job but I see them as opportunists. They probably think there's no real harm to lifting a pocket knife in the glove compartment, or any number of harmless things.

Fine.

I'm inconvenience at these checkpoints but that's the game. I want to get through without a lot of bullshlt. I don't like punks and bad apples rummaging through my gear.

I'm watching everything they do, I leave nothing they can pocket. I'm courteous and respectful and expect that returned.

I ID a bad apple around my car I'm stopping the inspection and asking for the Commandante. Someone plants mota in my vehicle they won't be getting off easy.


The young soldiers grew up poor, and the military does not pay them much.
Retired gringos, middle class surfers, gringos with massive trucks and trailers full of toys are richly rich in comparison to the soldiers barely out of poverty. Of course they steal, you would too if you were in poverty in Mexico.
Inequality breeds animosity, poverty with lack of opportunity breeds crime, not surprising that soldiers resort to extorting money from what they see to be clueless and unconnected tourists.

David K - 9-29-2019 at 08:51 PM

Poverty does not make one a criminal. It is ideology like yours that give ammunition to justify crime.

paranewbi - 9-30-2019 at 05:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Poverty does not make one a criminal. It is ideology like yours that give ammunition to justify crime.


Well said!

Goatman, the hundreds of experiences of traveling over 150,000 miles through Mexico and Central America since the early '70s would determine your statement to be wrong.

John Harper - 9-30-2019 at 06:29 AM

Seems to me it's predominantly rich people who take advantage of the rules and steal from others, not the poor. And I'm not looking at only the USA. There's examples all around the world, every day. From oligarchs to plutocrats to wannabe monarchs.

John

[Edited on 10-1-2019 by John Harper]

Phil C - 9-30-2019 at 02:20 PM

Talk about clueless and unconnected..........

JZ - 9-30-2019 at 02:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
The young soldiers grew up poor, and the military does not pay them much.
A private makes about $10,000 per month, which if their expenses are covered when they're on post, is a pretty good wage for uneducated kids (salario mínimo is about $105/day).


What? Do you have an extra zero in there?

AKgringo - 9-30-2019 at 02:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  


What? Do you have an extra zero in there?


I am assuming he is talking about pesos!

bajafreaks - 9-30-2019 at 04:20 PM

There was a recent reply to this post from a first time Nomad explaining his run in with his wife and daughter in the car what happen to the post, why was it deleted ?

bajabuddha - 9-30-2019 at 04:31 PM

BF, check yer u2u.

mtgoat666 - 9-30-2019 at 04:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajafreaks  
There was a recent reply to this post from a first time Nomad explaining his run in with his wife and daughter in the car what happen to the post, why was it deleted ?


Coverup!

John Harper - 9-30-2019 at 05:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by bajafreaks  
There was a recent reply to this post from a first time Nomad explaining his run in with his wife and daughter in the car what happen to the post, why was it deleted ?


Coverup!


Moved to a "secret server?"

John

mtgoat666 - 9-30-2019 at 05:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by bajafreaks  
There was a recent reply to this post from a first time Nomad explaining his run in with his wife and daughter in the car what happen to the post, why was it deleted ?


Coverup!


Moved to a "secret server?"

John


Will be watching twitter to see what the man says

ZipLine - 9-30-2019 at 06:18 PM

Treason! Investigate!

David K - 9-30-2019 at 06:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  

I am assuming he is talking about pesos!

Of course. What other currency would a Mexican soldier be paid in? ;)


Since Mexico also uses a dollar symbol for pesos, it may be clearer to type "pesos" or "MN" instead of "$" ? Just an idea since this question is common.