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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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More problems at San Ignacio Checkoint
From Talk Baja :
Be very diligent at the San Ignacio military checkpoint. My brother just went through there and they stole $500 US dollars from him. It's a pair of
them, one in front, the other in the rear of the vehicle.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TalkBaja/permalink/236036373...
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basautter
Senior Nomad
Posts: 862
Registered: 7-1-2013
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Can you provide some details so the rest of us don't fall for this? I am always uncomfortable when the Federales are pawing through my stuff,
although I have not been robbed yet....
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6927
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Quote: Originally posted by basautter  | | Can you provide some details so the rest of us don't fall for this? I am always uncomfortable when the Federales are pawing through my stuff,
although I have not been robbed yet.... |
Click the above facebook link although it doesn't say much more than the money was taken from the vehicle. Also, I think "Federales" usually refers to
federal police. The checkpoints are manned by the military.
There have been several reports of theft at the San Ignacio checkpoint. Keep your money, ID, phone, etc. in your pockets.
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billklaser
Nomad
Posts: 142
Registered: 3-31-2011
Location: Loreto, Lopez Mateos
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I always keep my $ on my person, don't leave any cash laying around!
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bajagregg
Junior Nomad
Posts: 67
Registered: 9-6-2015
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This check point has been a problem for a while now. Stand up for yourself and keep your money on your person.
Traveling Baja for 50 years.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3455
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Not just money but anything of value that can be pocketed. If you need a backpack to store this stuff, get one and exit your vehicle with the
pack.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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weebray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1094
Registered: 7-19-2010
Location: La Paz
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Mood: lleno
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I am personally quite upfront with them that only one door will be open at a time and I will show them anything they want to see. They are not
allowed to root around in our stuff.
Every beautiful beach in the world needs a few condo towers - NOT.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6927
Registered: 8-5-2011
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I'll be going through this checkpoint soon and am considering putting a set mousetrap under a 50 peso bill somewhere - just for laughs.
I appreciate the heads-up. Our wallets, pockets, and purse will be loaded with valuables and documents and our eyes on the guys as they do the
inspection.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64490
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Make sure your floormats are clean. In 2015, the officer at San Ignacio reached down, pulled up some piece of plant debris from the floor, apparently
off my shoes, smelled it and claimed it was marijuana! He then whipped out a cigarette lighter and lit it, again assisting it was marijuana. My wife
was getting pretty angry and I repeated that we don't smoke anything. After a search, they let us go. It would have spoiled any newbie from returning
to Mexico, imo.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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I always unlock one door, let them go through everything, while I observe, then we go to the next door. The guy that likes to ask for your name and
info can just wait till the inspector guy is done. I am always very friendly and speak the language so I normally get a different response than those
who look like a "deer in the headlights". This checkpoint has had some serious problems reported that started with a friend from Chivato who saw one
of the guys try to plant a package of Marijuana under his seat. I used to know most of the guys here because I have quite a few friends from the 16A
military base at San Lucas Cove, but control has changed to a group out of Hermosillo and that was when the bad reports started. It is good that
here and Talk Baja on Facebook have made people aware so that they can exercise extra caution.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Have you had any dealings or talked to the first sergeant/sargento primero or the commander/comandante (officer) of the checkpoint?.....years ago I
befriended the Lieutenant and first sergeant of that checkpoint.....very nice guys.
I make it a point to address the military by their rank at the checkpoints and at this point have never had any problems
| Quote: Originally posted by Pescador | I always unlock one door, let them go through everything, while I observe, then we go to the next door. The guy that likes to ask for your name and
info can just wait till the inspector guy is done. I am always very friendly and speak the language so I normally get a different response than those
who look like a "deer in the headlights". This checkpoint has had some serious problems reported that started with a friend from Chivato who saw one
of the guys try to plant a package of Marijuana under his seat. I used to know most of the guys here because I have quite a few friends from the 16A
military base at San Lucas Cove, but control has changed to a group out of Hermosillo and that was when the bad reports started. It is good that
here and Talk Baja on Facebook have made people aware so that they can exercise extra caution.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | Have you had any dealings or talked to the first sergeant/sargento primero or the commander/comandante (officer) of the checkpoint?.....years ago I
befriended the Lieutenant and first sergeant of that checkpoint.....very nice guys.
I make it a point to address the military by their rank at the checkpoints and at this point have never had any problems
| Quote: Originally posted by Pescador | I always unlock one door, let them go through everything, while I observe, then we go to the next door. The guy that likes to ask for your name and
info can just wait till the inspector guy is done. I am always very friendly and speak the language so I normally get a different response than those
who look like a "deer in the headlights". This checkpoint has had some serious problems reported that started with a friend from Chivato who saw one
of the guys try to plant a package of Marijuana under his seat. I used to know most of the guys here because I have quite a few friends from the 16A
military base at San Lucas Cove, but control has changed to a group out of Hermosillo and that was when the bad reports started. It is good that
here and Talk Baja on Facebook have made people aware so that they can exercise extra caution.
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Because I live in San Bruno, I knew the guys pretty well from San Lucas at 16A. But the new guys from Hermosillo are different and I have not had a
chance to get to know any of them. The problems started getting reported when the change happened. Will get more information when I return.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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I just got updated information and the 16A division from San Lucas Cove is in fact in charge of the 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
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BajaKeela
Junior Nomad
Posts: 94
Registered: 5-9-2008
Location: Vancouver Island
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I appreciate this info as I am travelling through there at the end of Oct ..Even though we are a group of three ..I am a single woman and need to be
aware . In the past my husband stayed with the truck and I let them in the 5th wheel. Never had an issue but I still don't want to be easy prey. A
wealth of information on here as usual ...Been reading faithfully for years .Thanks to all of you who contribute.
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Archie
Nomad
Posts: 163
Registered: 4-23-2012
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| Quote: Originally posted by Pescador | | I used to know most of the guys here because I have quite a few friends from the 16A military base at San Lucas Cove, but control has changed to a
group out of Hermosillo and that was when the bad reports started |
I don't know about that, but in Baja California they are rotated every three months just to prevent the same thing you're saying, getting too familiar
with locals.
I too noticed a change in the pattern... the last few times i crossed that checkpoint the gringos ahead of me were inspected thoroughly, even on the
way down, when usually they're free to go after a few questions.
The unofficial word its that they've caught more than a few old folks carrying firearms and medicinal pot on the way south.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13165
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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I don't know if all of you read the trip report I did a couple months back, when they were going thru a bus with a fine toothed comb and we were
stuck behind it, headed south.
After a good 15 minutes, I got out of the car, went to the military person there and asked if he could not start another lane. He said NO, they had
orders to only have one lane. He said if I wanted, I could call the number on a sign, which I duly took a photo of.
At this point, the cars behind us (quite a few) start honking and they finish with the bus. We have nothing in the car as we were just going to San
Ignacio, we were waved thru.
To make a long story short: not one time since have I seen a long line or a bus making others wait behind them!
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kiwikitesufer
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 9-12-2018
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Went through the checkpoint Sunday at lunch. Loaded with surf gear and household goods. There are ten checkpoints between San Diego and La Ventana.
Waived through all except San Ingancio. Was made to get out of car. Three guys conducted search. They started looking under drivers seat, they asked
if we had guns or drugs. Went through everything inside car. They looked through my wallet but took nothing. They opened car and made me remove every
box. I was asked to
open every box. They looked at all the contents. They weren’t interested in surf gear. I also was asked to show the contents of my short pockets
which was couple hundred in USD and some pesos. The search lasted ten minutes. It was professional and I thought fair as a quest in their country.
Left with handshakes and smiles. Don’t bring anything into Mexico your not supposed to. Been treated worse returning from Canada at US border. Enjoy
the drive south. Never seen Baja so green.
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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| Quote: Originally posted by weebray | | I am personally quite upfront with them that only one door will be open at a time and I will show them anything they want to see. They are not
allowed to root around in our stuff. |
I'm curious where you got your information that they can not root around in our stuff? I think they do have the right to look through whatever they
want for guns or drugs...
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
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Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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I have had them unzip and root around my backpack when I was wearing it.
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billklaser
Nomad
Posts: 142
Registered: 3-31-2011
Location: Loreto, Lopez Mateos
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I drive a F-350 with a longed and short camper shell. My truck is equipped for traveling in Baja, and as a result my camper shell bed has lots of
stuff. Tools, supplies, extra this and that. I always keep my valuables on my person, and politely open the camper doors and let them have at it.
They rarely look at much and send us on our way. Just went through San Ignacio couple weeks ago no big issue.
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