BajaNomad - Police Shakedown in Mexicali

Police Shakedown in Mexicali

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eguillermo - 10-1-2023 at 06:47 PM

Excellent, thanks!

078 example

AnimalLovers - 10-2-2023 at 08:29 AM

A few weeks ago, we got pulled over by the cops 6 miles south of San Vicente for "speeding". They kept asking us where we were going and if we were going to La Paz. It seemed they hoped we were in a hurry and planning on driving far. They then told us it would be 15 minutes while they did something back at their truck. I told them no problem , we would have some lunch while we waited (ha, ha). A few minutes later they asked me to join them back at the truck and asked if he wanted a receipt for the ticket. I said, of course, and they tell me that we'll have to follow them back to the station. I agree and start driving back north. We've been through countless shakedowns and never actually gotten to the point where we drive to the station. This is usually the point where they give up.

Once at the station, a 3rd cop joins the shakedown party. They ask for our registration and inflate the supposed speed we were caught driving from 100kph to 120kph. I am incredulous at this point because we never drive our 10k pound camper truck 120 kph in Baja. They also said there are 2 posted signs of the speed limit (first officer claimed said 70kph, then station cop said 80kph). When we drive back south, we learn there were NO signs at all. They point to a generic looking printout that says a ticket for speeding (*any* and *all* speeds over the limit) is 4000 pesos. I said we don't have that and the cop says there's an ATM in town. I've read at this point, really corrupt cops will escort you to the ATM.

I excused myself to confer with my wife. They call me back in, and I very visibly make the universal phone gesture to my wife. I come back in and tell them that my wife is calling the tourist help line (078). Within seconds, they give me my license and registration back with a one time "warning". No English was spoken except for "warning" (haaa). My Spanish is functional, but nowhere near fluent.

Is calling 078 useful? I don't know, but the threat of calling 078 seems to have paid off.

David K - 10-2-2023 at 08:46 AM

Great story and thanks for sharing.
Six miles south of town is no place for local cops, who do not have jurisdiction over the highway, only the Federal Highway Patrol does.
The feds are nice guys, at least when I got pulled over with radar gun pointed at me (north of El Rosario)! We became friends, he let me use the radar gun to see how it works, he gave me a verbal warning and I gave him a cold water bottle!

eguillermo - 10-29-2023 at 06:24 PM

Hey Nomads! Did anyone else order stickers from the link provided above by Biznaga?

After taking these steps, I begin to think that user may be in the Biz where they're Naga-na do anything but take payment:

1) Text the number given on "mikestickers.com"
2) Fill out the contact form on same site
3) Send a U2U to Biznaga on 10/23, still marked "Unread."

The order I made for 2 stickers was charged on 10/1. Methinks someone did take my 8 dollars and run.

Which is not a huge big deal, but it does mean I am still stickerless!!!

freediverbrian - 10-29-2023 at 08:54 PM

I saw a video saying in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo there is a law to promote tourism saying no cop can give a ticket to a tourist without three warnings. I wish baja had the same law.

pacificobob - 10-30-2023 at 06:07 AM

Yesterday, while driving through Mexicali..... nothing happened.

eguillermo - 10-30-2023 at 07:54 AM

Good going Bob! IMO a drive though Mexicali can't be sufficiently uneventful.

Like, a bad day is when you get stuck behind the Yonke truck not once but twice.

AKgringo - 10-30-2023 at 08:04 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob

Yesterday, while driving through Mexicali..... nothing happened.

Bored at the border is not a bad thing!

BajaNomad - 10-30-2023 at 11:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by eguillermo

Hey Nomads! Did anyone else order stickers from the link provided above by Biznaga?

After taking these steps, I begin to think that user may be in the Biz where they're Naga-na do anything but take payment:

1) Text the number given on "mikestickers.com"
2) Fill out the contact form on same site
3) Send a U2U to Biznaga on 10/23, still marked "Unread."

The order I made for 2 stickers was charged on 10/1. Methinks someone did take my 8 dollars and run.

Which is not a huge big deal, but it does mean I am still stickerless!!!

https://www.mikestickers.com/Kangen/
Contact us for pricing for custom designs.
email: mail@mikestickers.com text: 602-456-2438

https://www.facebook.com/mike.stickers
(602) 456-2438
mail@mikestickers.com

The Biznaga user account does have u2u email notifications turned on (it's a different email address associated with the account), fwiw.

[Edited on 10-30-2023 by BajaNomad]

Biznaga - 10-30-2023 at 10:03 PM

Eguillermo,

I just replied to your U2U message. Sorry for the confusion when I shared the Mike Stickers link. I did buy 2 or 3 stickers from them a few years ago, with no issues. Just FYI - I am NOT associated with that business in any way, shape or form.

wishing you a positive outcome with your purchase!

Peace, Love and Tacos

eguillermo - 10-31-2023 at 07:17 AM

Thanks Biznaga! And apologies for any apparent accusations. Thought I might be stepping in it.

The web is littered with zombie sites I guess. I actually ordered Thai food from a place that turns out to have been closed for over a year, and gave my credit card in that transaction, which is a worry.

Now back to the sticker search . . .

Make your own stickers

AnimalLovers - 10-31-2023 at 10:51 AM

Years ago, prior to driving the Pan Am, I made my own completely fictional "SAS - Silent Alarm Systems" stickers. I simply printed my design on transparency film using an inkjet printer, cut them out, used 3M Super 77 spray adhesive, and stuck them to my windows. They lasted for many years. Probably luck more than anything, but we never had a break in.

Udo - 11-5-2023 at 03:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaNomad

Quote: Originally posted by eguillermo

I did the same several years ago. Also, no stickers ever cme.

surabi - 11-5-2023 at 08:24 PM

I agree. It's not a matter of it only being $8, or just some stickers, it sounds like whoever is in receipt of these funds is a fraudster.

eguillermo - 11-6-2023 at 11:41 AM

Good point -- I just took the time to walk through PayPal's reporting widgets. It took the usual information, and ended by immediately processing the refund back to my account.

It's just 8 bucks, but yeah -- every time someone takes the money but doesn't follow through, it should be reported. Enough reports could stop that dynamic.

eguillermo - 11-10-2023 at 05:48 PM

Hold the presses! Retract the statements!!

What should show up in my mailbox today, but -- stickers!!

So mikestickers.com is legit after all, though very slow to deliver after being rather quick to charge, and not at all communicative.

I will now go back to Paypal and re-pay.

Don Pisto - 11-10-2023 at 08:18 PM

don't forget the Vagabundo decal! :coolup:

surabi - 11-10-2023 at 09:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by eguillermo

Hold the presses! Retract the statements!!

What should show up in my mailbox today, but -- stickers!!

So mikestickers.com is legit after all, though very slow to deliver after being rather quick to charge, and not at all communicative.

I will now go back to Paypal and re-pay.

Sounds like they need some education in how to run an online business. Most sites send an automated email as soon as you pay, saying something like "Thank you for your payment. Your order is being processed and will be sent out by (insert date)."

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