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Rumrunner
Junior Nomad
Posts: 33
Registered: 2-26-2011
Location: San Diego/La Bocana BCS
Member Is Offline
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Planted drugs at check point
Just read about this on talk Baja.
Reportedly happened at San Ignacio.
Says he was forced to delete pictures at gun
Point. Also on bloody decks someone was
Asked to empty all pockets at the same check
Point. In 40 years I’ve never experienced this.
Has anyone here?
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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Ask David K about the checkpoint at San Ignacio.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64558
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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LOL... yes, the "marijuana" bud on my floormat the checkpoint guy ignited with his cigarette lighter! That was a hoot... I think telling him we slept
at Ricardo's Rice and Beans motel is what they got excited about??? July 2015.
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6741
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
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Beware at check points, Bad Experience
I'm forwarding this notice by request and hope you all will watch carefully as you are stopped.
Homeowners and Residents of Punta Chivato,
I am writing this letter after a very scary situation occurred to Don Arnold and I on our trip driving to Loreto to fish the Finale of the Dorado
Tournament series. On August 8 we were stopped and moved to Secondary Inspection at the Federal check station just outside of San Ignacio. During
the search before being sent to Secondary checking the soldier said and I quote “You Americans are bad. You bring drugs into our country and hurt
our children.” Also said and I quote what Don Arnold told me, “American’s are bad people”. It got worse from there. As they were searching
our bags and going through our stuff,, I walked around to the Driver’s side where another Federal officer was standing. I saw him reach into his
left cargo pocket, pull out a small packet of about 3” square and put it under my seat. I approached and said what did you just put in my truck.
He picked the packet out and said, “you brought Cannabis into our Country”. “That is very bad. We will have to call the police. “ He then
tried to hand me the packet. I refused to accept and said you planted that in my truck. The leader of the two came over and further threatened Don
and I. We stated that it was not ours we were not transporting any drugs and that Don was a former police officer in Canada and I was a teacher in
Idaho. That we were going to a fishing tournament and did not transport drugs nor had either of us ever. I also said I was President of the
Homeowners Association of Punta Chivato. They then continued to check our truck and generally try to intimidate us. I took their photos and asked to
call my consulate. They then raised weapons and forced me to delete the photos while they watched. They then said we could go but not to bring drugs
again.
We left shaken. I called our Attorney Nadia and left a message and had Ann on speed dial to call the consulate if we got stopped and searched again
at any of the other check stations. It was very concerning.
The rest of the trip went smoothly. We did have one other unusual thing happen. At the Gonzaga Bay check the Federal check person asked to look in
the back and said, Are you guys transporting Marijuana. We said no and drove away.
I am reporting this to our members. Here are my recommendations. Do not leave any search unattended. They may plant something to harass you. Watch
there every move as they go through your vehicle and tell your co travelers out loud with everything you see. For some reason the federal check
people are mad at Americans. I’m not making any inferences about why. Please be aware and watch closely.
Concerned for our safety,
Mike Bowers
President Homeowners Association of Punta Chivato
There have also been a couple others from PC that have been treated rudely or have had items missing after this stop so be aware.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 641
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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The author, Mike's interpretation of the incident is that "They may plant something to harass you. ...For some reason the federal check people are mad
at Americans."
My interpretation is that they are not mad at gringos. Those words were part of the con scheme. The planting of drugs by law enforcement is a very old
and frequently used scheme to extract mordida. They were hoping to get hundreds of dollars or get the vehicle. Gringos are often easy marks for
shakedowns.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9413
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Offline
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Find the story hard to believe.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6964
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Offline
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Are they just going to let this go or report it? I know the following link goes to a Baja California, not a BCS, website but they probably can explain
the proper reporting procedure for BCS.
https://www.bajanorte.com/en/assistance-078/
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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Quote: Originally posted by Russ  | Do not leave any search unattended. They may plant something to harass you. Watch there every move as they go through your vehicle
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That is the one vulnerable spot to be in while traveling by yourself.
Imagine 'first time Joe Tourist', not having experience nor
the savy to deal with this, as if any of us would casually
brush this off, already having reservations
about Mex, but after reading
rose colored often misleading info,
that driving the Peninsula is without problems, if he was to face this,
his wallet along with anything of valued be voluntarily handed
over.
Not sure doubting info from Russ is going to get
you where you want to go
[Edited on 8-18-2018 by sancho]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64558
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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This week I went through checkpoints 5 times (Ojos Negros, El Chinero x2, Gonzaga x2). I was either waved through or had a very friendly and short
exchange. No inside search at all, having at least one search is common for me.
It is a shame San Ignacio has now had multiple false charges put upon us turistas.
Maybe the local business people should confront the comandante?
[Edited on 8-19-2018 by David K]
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17473
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by Rumrunner | Just read about this on talk Baja.
Reportedly happened at San Ignacio.
Says he was forced to delete pictures at gun
Point. Also on bloody decks someone was
Asked to empty all pockets at the same check
Point. In 40 years I’ve never experienced this.
Has anyone here? |
Post not on tb anymore? Couldn't find it. I think the page owner deletes the negative stories. Stories must be peace, live, fish tacos, eh?
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Paco Facullo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1301
Registered: 1-21-2017
Location: Here now
Member Is Offline
Mood: Abiding ..........
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Concerning Checkpoints, I've had all good ( by myself) and a couple bad ( with a pot-head friend ).
By myself, I always treat then with much respect and start a friendly and humors conversation with the Guy's.
Most of the time I offer them water.
I've even offered and they accepted shots of my Don Julio I had with me.
Another time gave then Dog treats I had a Guy that had 9 dogs.
Since I've given up all hope, I feel much better
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13168
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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This is terrible and there are lots of options to take action.
1. contact a newspaper and have them write an article or possibly interview folks further down the road.
2. There is a complaint phone number listed at the military stop. Call and file a formal complaint.
3. Write a letter to the governor. They are promoting tourism and this is simply unacceptable.
4. Someone once posted a name and phone number of a person to contact when such situations occurred??? It was quite a while ago when the mordidas
were rampant in CC.
This all could simply be a reaction to all the brouhaha in the States with people separated from their children, illegals being deported etc. but it
is not OK.
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Royosbaja
Newbie
Posts: 24
Registered: 12-20-2005
Location: Santa Maria CA, PC Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
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Came through that checkpoint last Wednesday heading north, (from Punta Chivato even), and I must say, we have never had such a detailed search. Every
bag was opened, every compartment was gone through, every zipper unzipped and then zipped.
My wife speaks Spanish and was talking with the gentleman that was NOT doing the searching, he told her to go to the back and watch "him."
I was doing enough watching for the both of us, jajajaja.
When done, they sent us on our way.
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DaliDali
Super Nomad
Posts: 1132
Registered: 4-21-2010
Location: BCS
Member Is Offline
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Same spot......San Ignacio. just a few days ago.
South bound......most comprehensive search I have ever had in 20 some odd years on that highway.......
Including a first EVER......ordered me to empty my pants pockets out on the front seat of my truck.
Thumbed through my passport book, played with swimbaits from a clear plastic Plano box in the towed aluminum boat and questioned me about a short
handled gaff in the boat.
Rummaged through my shave bag....ok fine....but brings out a small pair of folding scissors and looks them over......they are not a gun buddy ok?
I don't mind the search for drugs and guns......but I told the guy (I speak Spanish) he won't find any drugs or guns in my passport pages , nor in
that clear Plano tackle box, nor any hidden firearm in the gaff, nor in a pair of scissors.
It was hot.......the flies were thick......I was a tad upset.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6964
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Offline
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DaliDali, thanks for the report. Did they ask for your passport? FMM or whatever? Car registration?
Sounds like they have a gnarley commander at that stop.
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tiotomasbcs
Super Nomad
Posts: 1837
Registered: 7-30-2007
Location: El Pescadero
Member Is Offline
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I have friends coming south. I will advise! They have always been, on occasion, more difficult: dick heads. I will advise mis Amigos. Thanks. Tio
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DaliDali
Super Nomad
Posts: 1132
Registered: 4-21-2010
Location: BCS
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by SFandH | DaliDali, thanks for the report. Did they ask for your passport? FMM or whatever? Car registration?
Sounds like they have a gnarley commander at that stop. |
Never asked me for any of those.
Best I can understand it all, that is not their job to perform immigration or other law enforcement functions.
Sure they can do what they will.......being armed to the teeth and all.
I did notice, at least southbound, there is now a video cam in place just before where one stops.
It had a small solar panel and backed up with a trailered generator.
Gun/drug smuggling hot spot?
S/B Loreto checkpoint a few hours later......waved me through.....just a wave.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by Rumrunner | Just read about this on talk Baja.
Reportedly happened at San Ignacio.
Says he was forced to delete pictures at gun
Point. Also on bloody decks someone was
Asked to empty all pockets at the same check
Point. In 40 years I’ve never experienced this.
Has anyone here? |
Post not on tb anymore? Couldn't find it. I think the page owner deletes the negative stories. Stories must be peace, live, fish tacos, eh?
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The page owner is Ron, BajaGringo here... and Ralph (rts...) controls posts there, too. Ther are other Nomads who moderate it too.
It could be the typical Facebook issue that posts disappear down somewhere if no activity, which makes finding post near impossible?
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Just like here, the posts slide downward if no activity. If you are not facebook challenged, you can use the search function, just like here. The
post is there but Ron turned off commenting because "We have a policy here of not sharing uncorroborated 3rd hand information containing accusations
that don't even carry the names of the people making the report.". Stops all the BS like we see here sometimes.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9413
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Offline
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Pretty sure it is that check point. They had a notebook and wrote everyone's names in the truck down in it. Wrote down our license plate.
Didn't ask for passports or anything. This was November or December last year.
[Edited on 8-19-2018 by JZ]
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BajaNomad
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Threads Merged
8-18-2018 at 06:20 PM |
Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6335
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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My worst ever experience was with the Guerrero Negro Northbound checkpoint. They went through EVERYTHING I owned, but no harassment like Mike
experienced!
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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