About a year ago, a friend was headed back to the States. He was in Tijuana near the Smart and Final (just west of the Rio) stopped at a red light and
a guy on the street approached his car and told him he could guide him to the front of the border line for $50. My friend agreed, so the Mexican got
in his car and guided him to the border zone. Once there, some other Mexicans opened a gate which is just to the left of the far left lane (Lane #1).
They blocked the traffic in the #1 lane so he could get in line. Once at the inspection booth, he asked the US Immigration Officer about it and was
told it happens often and that there's nothing that US officials can do about it.
On my next trip to Baja after hearing about this, I made sure my doors were locked and windows rolled up when I came to that same intersection near
the Smart and Final (Melchor Ocampo & Benito Juarez). I didn't want any part of that "deal." Unfortunately, the light was red and sure enough, a
Mexican came up to my truck offering me the same deal. I motioned him away with my hands (while keeping my door locked and window rolled up). When I
got to the border zone, I went to the far left lane out of habit. When I was near the inspector's booth, I saw the gate my friend was referring to.
Sure enough, just as I passed that gate, some Mexicans escorted five vehicles into lane #1. Luckily I was in front of all of them because I would
have been irked if they were all allowed to enter in line in front of me (it ended up being the slowest lane).
So now it sounds like I have to be ready for some Mexicans trying to mess with me as I'm near the bridge entering the border zone. It's always
something ... |
