BajaNomad

State Department warns tourists about tainted alcohol

JoeJustJoe - 7-27-2017 at 10:25 AM

Really?

This new US State Department ruling comes on the heals of the death of 20 year old Abbey Connon, a college student, and her 22 year old brother, who were vacationing at a Playas de Carmen, 5 star, all inclusive resort, meaning all the food and drinks you could possibly want.

Abbey and her brother, were at the swim up bar, and her brother admits to drinking at least 5 shots, and then were invited to have a " Jägerbomb” which is another powerful drink mixed with Redbull, and depending which article you read, they drank some more, although a few articles, tries to claim Abbey, only had one drink, the " Jägerbomb."

The two students, had blood-alcohol levels, of 0.25 for Abbey, and 0.26 for her brother, and both ended up in the pool and later taken to the hospital, where Abbey died. ( this is three times the legal limit in the state they live in, when the blood-alcohol, gets over 0.35, blood poising occurs, and you could die! )

But if you read the articles from the US media, Abbey, and her hapless brother, are blameless, and for sure either Abbey, and her brother, were victims, of either spiked drinks, for a possible kidnapping, rape, or some type of foul play, or the alcohol itself was tainted, and the tainted alcohol is the reason why the pair were at the bottom of the pool, or wherever they were found in the water.

To make matters worse, as this tragic event, happened with Abby, there was been a recent report from I think the Mexican tax authorities, that up to 43% of Mexican alcohol is altered in some fashion! To me that sounds like the IRS doing studies on US alcohol, and I bet there is more to the story than trying to say almost half of Mexican alcohol is like moonshine.

Mexican alcohol is usually in tamper proof bottles, and even if the two college students, weren't allegedly drugged, the fact the brother admitted taking at least 5 or 6 shots of pure alcohol could alone put them in the bottom of the pool, and this is ignored by the US media.
__________________________________


U.S. State Department warns tourists about tainted alcohol at Mexico resorts after blackouts reported

he U.S. State Department is alerting travelers to Mexico about possible tainted or counterfeit alcohol that could cause sickness and blacking out.

The department on Wednesday updated its information page specific to Mexico under Safety and Security, cautioning vacationers who choose to drink alcohol to “do so in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill.”

“The safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas is one of our highest priorities,” a department official said in an email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The updated warning comes in the wake of a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation surrounding a Wisconsin woman’s death that raised questions about drinks being served in all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.

Following these reports and in consultation with our Posts in Mexico, we updated our Country Specific Information for Mexico to provide updated safety information regarding potentially tainted alcohol,” the department official said in the email.

The blackouts have happened to men and women, young and old, to singles and to couples, according to interviews with travelers and family members whose loved ones died or were injured at the resorts, as well as hospital records, ambulance receipts, hotel correspondence and other documents.

Abbey Connor, a 20-year-old from Pewaukee, died in January after being pulled listless from a pool at the Paraiso del Mar, part of a cluster of Iberostar resorts near Playa del Carmen, Mexico. She was brain dead, and a few days later was flown to Florida, where she was taken off life support.

Her brother, 22-year-old Austin, also reported blacking out. He had a lump on his forehead and a severe concussion. The two had arrived with their mother and step-father at the resort just hours earlier and had been drinking at a swim-up bar.

read the rest here:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/2017/07/26...


mtgoat666 - 7-27-2017 at 11:01 AM

I am astonished that any resort or hotel could stay open after just one instance of staff drugging (poisoning) a guest!
If i read a tripadvisor report of anything like this, the establishment would be off my list.

Sad that humans are so inhumane that this drugging occurs frequently in usa, mexico and just about anywhere

del mar - 7-27-2017 at 11:14 AM

tragic. beautiful young girl dead, im sure if she were my daughter I would want answers. good for the state dept. issuing a warning to be vigilant

JoeJustJoe - 7-27-2017 at 01:13 PM

Here is a typical biased article surrounding the death of 20 year Abbey Conner, where they made it look like she was drugged, and only took one drink, the "Jägermeister" which by itself is a powerful drink that's mixed with Redbull.

And look who is being quoted, a family attorney, looking for a multmillion, dollar lawsuit, because stories are surfacing about allegedly bootleg booze being served all over Mexico, and the girl happens to be a white pretty American girl, which always creates a media frenzy in America.

Nowhere, does this article mention, the brother Austin, has already admitted to taking at least five or six shots of hard liquid, and then also admitting to drinking some more like a complete marooon!

There is also no mention of the fact, that no other drugs were found in the system of Abby, except for the 0.25 of alcohol reading which is three times the legal limit in the state they live in.
____________________________________________


BOOTLEG BOOZE MYSTERY Girl, 20, who died after drinking a shot in Cancun, Mexico, may have been poisoned by cheap HOMEMADE alcohol sold illegally at hotel bar

A 20-YEAR-OLD girl who died after drinking a shot at a Cancun resort may have been poisoned by illegal ‘bootleg’ booze, according to a lawyer hired by her family.

Abbey Conner, from Wisconsin, US, was staying at Iberostar Hotel & Resorts’ five-star Paraiso del Mar with family in January, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.



She and her older brother Austin were found face down in the pool with a blood alcohol content of 0.2 – 2.5 times above the legal limit for driving in the US.

Staff at the luxury Paraiso del Mar, in southern Mexico, pulled the siblings from the water and performed CPR on Abbey.

The 20-year-old, who was studying Public Relations at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, was unconscious, had a low pulse and had foam pouring out of her nose and mouth.

She was declared brain dead and was taken off life support a few days later, having been flown to Florida.

Austin insists the last thing he can remember before waking up in an ambulance is being invited to take a shot of Jägermeister mixed with Red Bull by a group of men at the bar.

Austin survived with a forehead injury and severe concussion.

He claims the pair, who were about to meet their mum and stepdad for dinner, drank a “Jägerbomb” shot before blacking out, reports USA Today.

Abbey’s devastated family have since hired a lawyer, Florentino Ramirez, who wrote a four-page report about Abbey’s death.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4069693/girl-20-died-cancun-me...

sancho - 7-27-2017 at 02:11 PM

Back in the day, in Vallarta some of the bars of
character, would serve, if asked, a homebrew called Ricea,
I assume something like moonshine. Was a TJ Revo Ave.,
bar patron yrs. back, who drank a drink served at a bar,
which later was determined to be some sort of rat poison,
totally accidental, I don't imagine one would have much
recourse in holding a bar libel


chuckie - 7-27-2017 at 02:18 PM

Why are you guys posting all this negative stuff about Mexico?

ehall - 7-27-2017 at 02:46 PM

Mike jr. At Mikes sky ranch has some fine homemade tequila. If you ever find your way there you may be lucky enough to be offered a shot.

chippy - 7-27-2017 at 02:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho  
Back in the day, in Vallarta some of the bars of
character, would serve, if asked, a homebrew called Ricea,
I assume something like moonshine. Was a TJ Revo Ave.,
bar patron yrs. back, who drank a drink served at a bar,
which later was determined to be some sort of rat poison,
totally accidental, I don't imagine one would have much
recourse in holding a bar libel




Raicilla can be bad or really good just like mezcal or tequila. Me likey:bounce:

Hook - 7-27-2017 at 03:32 PM



JJJ, do you every actually go to Mexico, dude, or do you just Google it?????

Bad moonshine tequila, and other cacti derivatives, have been around for forever. People have different reactions: ranging from a good buzz to delirium to passing out to passing away, in some cases. Of course the Mexican authorities are experts at making it appear to be anything but the moonshine. Maybe a trumped up BAL for the gal?

You REALLY think bars serve nothing but sealed, off-the-shelf tequila? Who knows what went in to a Jaegerbomb in Mexico..........

This ain't news. Neither the State Dept's. late warning (as usual), nor JJJ's ignorance.

Too bad she wasnt blue-eyed and blonde, as well as white, eh JJJ? Your race card would be an Ace of Spades.

Keep moving, people........just another attempt by JJJ to blame the US for all of Mexico's problems.

Tres Rios - 7-27-2017 at 03:50 PM

I myself would be more suspicious of the "group of men" putting some sort of date rape drug in the jagerbombs....

SFandH - 7-27-2017 at 04:16 PM

I just read several news articles and there are reports from other people visiting the Playa del Carmen / Cancun area of losing consciousness or getting severely ill after drinking in resorts. Methanol mixed in maybe?

I hope they get the creeps selling the poison.

Going to the Yucatan? Buy beer and watch the bartender open the container.

bajabuddha - 7-27-2017 at 04:52 PM

This is just opinion, nothing else. It's a possibility that with the 'big-bucks' resorts involved there's also cartel involvement, and what better way to screw with a competitor or adversary than to discredit their operation? Possible. Who said ''show me a gringo caught in the crossfire''....

JoeJustJoe - 7-27-2017 at 05:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  


JJJ, do you every actually go to Mexico, dude, or do you just Google it?????

Bad moonshine tequila, and other cacti derivatives, have been around for forever. People have different reactions: ranging from a good buzz to delirium to passing out to passing away, in some cases. Of course the Mexican authorities are experts at making it appear to be anything but the moonshine. Maybe a trumped up BAL for the gal?

You REALLY think bars serve nothing but sealed, off-the-shelf tequila? Who knows what went in to a Jaegerbomb in Mexico..........

This ain't news. Neither the State Dept's. late warning (as usual), nor JJJ's ignorance.

Too bad she wasnt blue-eyed and blonde, as well as white, eh JJJ? Your race card would be an Ace of Spades.

Keep moving, people........just another attempt by JJJ to blame the US for all of Mexico's problems.


It appears Hook is wrong about everything he says!

Yes, I go to Mexico all the time, and just last year I was in Playas de Carmen, and I prefer it over Cancun, because there are less loud ugly Americans, and partying American college students there on an endless spring break, although I do admit, I like looking at the pretty young female coed students in their bikini's by the pool or the beach.

There is a more European and upscale Mexican crowd in in Playas de Carmen, but I do prefer the beaches in Cancun better than the Playas de Carmen beaches.

I have also stayed in many 5 star resorts in Mexico and around the world, something I know you have no idea about Hook. And lets just say, they don't serve Mexican moonshine in the 5 star resorts, although I'm sure you could get the bad stuff in the flea bag hotels, that you are use to saying in Hook.

I also hang around bars in Tijuana, and been to Cancun many times, and know how young 18 to 22 year old young adult kids drink foolishly.

I call BS on this story a mile away, although I fault the Mexican resort for not providing better care of their guests, although again, Playas is not Cancun, and you don't see the crazy young people in Playas de Carmen, until night time when the clubs rock all time long.

This topic about alleged altered alcohol, and this young 20 year old also made "Talk Baja" and the last I looked, most of the posts were similar to mine in blaming drunk partying behavior of young tourists more than they blame tainted Mexican alcohol.

Hook, 20 year Abbey Conner, may not have blue-eyed, but her hair is light brown, and make no mistake about it, Abbey, is like Dorthy, from Kansas, and someone has to be blamed for Abbey's death, and right now Mexico is getting all the blame, although there is no evidence her drink was spiked, or altered in any way. There is also no evidence of any date rape drugs in her system.

In fact her blood-alcohol level 0.025 is consistent with a 130 pound young girl downing 7 straight shots within the hour! ( her brother admitted she had at least 5 shots, and then she had that special drink with redbull)

Perhaps the "BN' drunks could chime in and tell us how taking that many shots and swimming is not a good idea.






[Edited on 7-28-2017 by JoeJustJoe]

Oddjob - 7-27-2017 at 08:26 PM

JJJ, you are obsessed with young men and women having problems in Mexico. Why would you post pictures of a beautiful young twenty year old who passed away tragically on a family vacation to Mexico?

You are one sick pos, and why Doug Means doesn't send you packing from this forum astonishes me. You have caused countless members of this forum to disappear. You have no redeeming qualities.

It is obvious that you have had a very trouble life. Now slink back to the off topic side.

aguachico - 7-27-2017 at 08:44 PM

Interesting. You would think they would just water it down like the rest of bars.

JJJ lives in occupied Aztlan - nuf said.

JoeJustJoe - 7-27-2017 at 11:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
I just read several news articles and there are reports from other people visiting the Playa del Carmen / Cancun area of losing consciousness or getting severely ill after drinking in resorts. Methanol mixed in maybe?

I hope they get the creeps selling the poison.

Going to the Yucatan? Buy beer and watch the bartender open the container.


If you look carefully most of those alleged negative stories by American tourists also falling victim of getting their drinks spiked were pulled from this 501(c) organization, website called, "Mexico Vacation Awareness," that supposedly creates awareness of many travel dangers that await you when traveling to Mexico.

If you ask me, it's another Mexico bashing website with an agenda to discourage Mexico tourism. I'm surprised the "Southern Poverty Law Center" hasn't listed this website as another "hate site."

The thing is most of their reports come from unsubstantiated anonymous reports, which many of them are third hand accounts, and I believe many of the stories are made up BS!

This site claims and I'll quote," Appallingly, thirty-two percent of all “non-natural” deaths of U.S. citizens outside this country occur in Mexico."

Even if that was true, the fact is Mexico is the number #1 travel destination in world, and according to a 2015 report, 25.8 million tourist visited Mexico in 2015, followed by Canada, with 6.9 million tourists, and in 3rd place was United Kingdom at with 2.8 tourists. ( see link below)

http://wanderingtrader.com/travel-blog/countries-americans-t...

So of course more accidents and US tourists deaths will occur in Mexico, compared to a country like the UK, because there are easily eight times amount of American tourists who visit Mexico, compared to the UK.

The fact is US tourists deaths in Mexico, is a very low number, and clearly ""Mexico Vacation Awareness," is engaged in Mexico fear mongering. Sometimes when I want to see a scary movie, and scare myself, I instead turn to "Mexico Vacation Awareness," to feel the fear, but also knowing many if not most of their stories are pure fiction like the movies.

Lets read one of these stories from " Mexico Vacation Awareness" after the story about 20 year old Abby Connor's death came out. Jason Jackson, also claims his drinks were spiked at the same resort, and he woke up passed out! I wonder how many drinks Jason Jackson had? This report by Jason is retarded!

July 27, 2017 Name: Jason Jackson.

My wife and I went to Iberostar Del Mar Playa Paraiso in March of this year with another couple and we think this happened to us as well. We literally don't remember one of the days we were at the resort. We all woke up the next morning at the resort and all questioned what happened. We checked and nothing was stolen, but we knew something had to be in the drinks. When I just read the article about this resort having a death by drowning and then reading about tainted alcohol, it all made sense.


__________________________________________
Mexico Vacation Awareness:






[Edited on 7-28-2017 by JoeJustJoe]

ehall - 7-28-2017 at 04:38 AM

Anyone who has ever been to bars in Cancun, Cabo, or even Rocky Point knows what is happening. All the resorts promote drinking to excess. Things like booze cruise, barber chair, and other things. Alcohol poisoning not poisonous alcohol. I am not blaming the resorts. Everyone should know their limit.

JoeJustJoe - 7-28-2017 at 08:39 AM

The problem here on "Baja Nomad" is too many members are focused too much on JoeJustJoe, and are ignoring the two topics of the thread, first the death and accidental drowning of the 20 year old American college student young women, and the alleged allegations of tainted alcohol.

Lets posts a few posts from "Talk Baja" to get the focus off JoeJustJoe and maybe some of you could also accuse Ron, and other members of "Talk Baja" also hating white Americans.
______________________
From Talk Baja:

Greg wrote: Lol every time I drink a whole bottle of tequila I black out . Must be bad booze
----
Peter wrote: someone forgot to mention that most alcohol bottles in mx have tamper proof spout, I believe the hotel before i believe the kids
-----
Rafael wrote: And the mota might have been low quality.
------
Brent wrote: They drink until they are stupid and then want to blame the Hotel for giving them tainted booze... I don't think so. The parents should come with their kids next time to see how much they drink and snort..
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Ron wrote: If you drink that much alcohol, it doesn't have to be tainted to do something stupid...
------
Joe wrote: Just watched a few minutes of the ABC video. No mention at that point of her BAC. Her brother made it sound like he and her only had one or two drinks.
--------
Brent wrote: hahah they just couldn't remember after a few drinks .. IF the alcohol is tainted, I would be six ft under by now. I have been down here since 2004 and I have never (that I know of) had tainted drinks..
------
Ron wrote: That's it - blame it on tainted alcohol when you drink way too much and do something totally stupid..
-------
Rafael wrote: Quit drinking the hard stuff and opt for beer!
------
Joe wrote: Not a bad idea considering; "A 2015 report from Mexico’s Tax Administration Service found that 43% of all the alcohol consumed in the nation is illegal, produced under unregulated circumstances resulting in potentially dangerous concoctions. The national health authority in Mexico has seized more than 1.4 million gallons of adulterated alcohol since 2010"
-----
Irene wrote: I have seen so many people in Mexico get totally inebriated. Shots, margaritas, etc. Be responsible people......
------
Rafael wrote: 25 years ago someone in Cabo told me that Margaritas where known as gringo poison because tourists would not be able to tell good from bad tequila as most drank till they couldn't walk anymore.
----------
Ron wrote: If you say so? My guess this is the government insisting it's tainted solely because it was produced without paying federal taxes. Hard to say if I've ever had any but sure been trying hard enough for a couple of decades. No bad trips yet...
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Estaban wrote: Personal responsibility - Actions have consequences.
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Bob wrote: This is really sad and just shows how gullible people are. Drilling down, the Attorney hired to represent the grieved family stated he observed alcohol of "poor quality" was being served. What defines poor quality? To me Jose Cuervo is of poor quality but certainly won't kill you unless you drink so much you become alcohol poisoned. Not to mention he is hardly in a position to render an impartial opinion.
------
Ann wrote: When you read this statement it says "allegations" of tainted alcohol have been reported. Allegations? Really? To say that Mexico is serving "tainted" alcohol based on "allegations", not proof, is the absolute height of irresponsible journalism and policy by the State Department.
---------
Nadine wrote: Many tourists just over indulge...seen it many many times, make a fool of themselves, get hurt and then blame Mexico!! They just should not go to Mexico it's just too dangerous for them!. We do not need our Mexican beaches crowed with puking drunks!., and then blaming Mexico!.
------
Nadine wrote: Also like in Canada where some people make their own home brew and other spirits these are not regulated so your drinking at your own risk. Do does this make Canada a dangerous country?!
-----
Tuna wrote: Hopefully this will keep some of the ugly Americans out of Mexico, one has to drink responsibly period.
___________________
JJJ comments:

While most of the articles are sensationalizing the story about young Abby Connor's death, and blaming Mexico, and tainted alcohol for her death. Most of the comments in those article, are similar to my comments, and the comments you find on "Talk Baja" on Facebook, that put the blame on over indulgence of alcohol, and not tainted booze.

Oh BTW JoeJustJoe, is not Tuna Dave, who made the comments about ugly Americans in Mexico, drinking excessively, but we just feel the same way.



[Edited on 7-28-2017 by JoeJustJoe]

yumawill - 7-29-2017 at 08:08 AM

i'm more worried about the Pemex that I can't control. I have to have the Pemex. The alcohol I don't need but you can put it in the tank.

Alm - 7-30-2017 at 10:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JoeJustJoe  
Really?

This new US State Department ruling comes on the heals of the death of 20 year old Abbey Connon, a college student, and her 22 year old brother, .....

... her brother admits to drinking at least 5 shots,


They died and then called the news to give an account of the events. Great find.

JoeJustJoe - 7-30-2017 at 11:10 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
Quote: Originally posted by JoeJustJoe  
Really?

This new US State Department ruling comes on the heals of the death of 20 year old Abbey Connon, a college student, and her 22 year old brother, .....

... her brother admits to drinking at least 5 shots,


They died and then called the news to give an account of the events. Great find.


Say what?

Both Abby, age 20, and Austin, her brother, age 22 were face down in the pool, and both were taking to the hospital, but only Abby died.

If I were the parents, I would disown Austin for not taking care of his younger sister. I have adult kids a few years apart, and the oldest is a male, and for years when I wasn't around, I expected him to take care of his younger sister, and that would go double in Mexico.

Of course, I blame the parents too. Instead of blaming Mexico, and alleged bootlegged alcohol for Abby death. I wonder why they aren't looking in the mirror, and asking themselves why they didn't come down and check on the kids?

Of course you have a mother, and a step-father, situation here, and perhaps they just weren't focused on the kids.

Abby's real father, wasn't even there, but he knows for sure, something happened, and that it was some type of foul play.

I feel sorry for the father, who lost his daughter, and I just love the way he dealt with his own grief, with a 2000 mile bike ride across the country to bring awareness of organ donations.
_______________________

In honor of my daughter and to help me deal with my own grief, I will be riding my Trek bicycle 2,000+ miles across the country, leaving Madison, WI on May 22, 2017 and arriving in Ft. Lauderdale, FL approximately on July 10th, 2017 without any hitches. The arrival point in Ft. Lauderdale is at the Broward Medical Center. This hospital took exceptional care of my daughter and prepared her to donate her organs.

Through my entire ride, I will be bringing awareness to the impact of organ donation and how important the gift of life truly is when tragedy shows up on your doorstep. I will be riding six days a week averaging 60-65 miles per day, and on my days off and at every stop along my bike route, I will be asking people to regsiter online to become organ donors.



https://www.gofundme.com/abbeys-ride-for-life


Alm - 7-30-2017 at 01:05 PM

Joe, - I read what I read. Whatever...

Yes, you can die of tainted alcohol. Anti-sanitary conditions, wrong type of alcohol from unlicensed distilleries, or something else. This is a third world country.

Yes, one can also die of blood poisoning caused by overdose. Or - both tainted alcohol and overdose.

JoeJustJoe - 7-30-2017 at 02:24 PM

Now Soulpatch, is bringing up allegedly date rape drugs, and rape, and he says, it's not second or third party, but he knows the victims firsthand. What you know Soulpatch, is their one-sided story. You could also be making it up. Why would women admit to you that they been raped??

Well, there are well known studies coming out of the UK starting in 2005, that tested about 1000 young women, who claimed they were victims of date rape drugs, but when they were tested only a very tiny sample of the women like 21 out of 1000 that were actually victims of date rape drugs, and the vast majority 979 of the women tested were actually victims of their own alcohol abuse, or illicit drugs that were found in their systems.

This type of study has also been done world wide with about the same results.

In order words, most of these date-rape spiking drinks stories are largely an urban myths.

Alcohol abuse is the most widely used drug of choice that leads to trouble in Mexico, and every country in the world.
________________________________________
This is just one smaller study:

Date-rape drink spiking 'an urban legend'

Widespread spiking of drinks with date-rape drugs such as Rohypnol and GHB is an "urban legend" fuelled by young women unwilling to accept they have simply consumed too much alcohol, academics believe.

By Stephen Adams6:10AM GMT 27 Oct 2009

A study of more than 200 students revealed many wrongly blamed the effects of a "bad night out" on date-rape drugs, when they had just drunk excessively.

Many are in "active denial" that drinking large amounts of alcohol can leave them "incoherent and incapacitated", the Kent University researchers concluded.

Young women's fears about date-rape drugs are so ingrained that students mistakenly think it is a more important factor in sexual assault than being drunk, taking drugs or walking alone at night.

The study, published in the British Journal of Criminology, found three-quarters of students identified drink spiking as an important risk – more than alcohol or drugs.

More than half said they knew someone whose drink had been spiked.

But despite popular beliefs, police have found no evidence that rape victims are commonly drugged with such substances, the researchers said.

Dr Adam Burgess from the university's School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, said: "Young women appear to be displacing their anxieties about the consequences of consuming what is in the bottle on to rumours of what could be put there by someone else.

"The reason why fear of drink-spiking has become widespread seems to be a mix of it being more convenient to guard against than the effects of alcohol itself and the fact that such stories are exotic – like a more adult version of 'stranger danger'."

Rituals to protect drinks from contamination, such as taking drinks to the lavatory in clubs and bars and buying only bottled drinks, have become commonplace, the academics noted.
Among young people, drink spiking stories have attractive features that could "help explain" their disproportionate loss of control after drinking alcohol, the study found.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/6440589/Date-ra...



[Edited on 7-30-2017 by JoeJustJoe]

Howard - 7-30-2017 at 03:28 PM

Have you petty, bickering people forgot that there is a tragedy here?

Take you crap somewhere else as we have a family in mourning for their loved one.

May it never happen to you but how would you like to read this drivel if you were in their sandals?

chuckie - 7-31-2017 at 02:14 AM

This incident happened way back in January....I am sure that the Mexican Law Enforcement people, working closely with the US State Dept. have this issue under control by now.

JoeJustJoe - 7-31-2017 at 03:07 AM

BTW The US State Department, did not issue a travel warning in the state of Quintana Roo, where Playa Del Carmen, is located, regarding tainted or substandard alcohol.

What they did was update their State Department's Country Specific Information( CSI) page, which does not constitute a travel warning.

The State Department, has a completely separate "Travel Warning" for Mexico, and as today there is no Travel Warning in the state of Quintana Roo, although they do warn of cellular and internet services are virtually non-existent in certain areas of the state.

The U. S. State Department, is very careful in their words, and where they put their warnings.

The CSI page, really is only passing on allegations of tainted or substandard Alcohol, and the real message seems to be, that if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, and if you start to feel sick, seek medical attention.

_____________________________________
From the State Department's Country Specific Information( CSI) page:

Alcohol: There have been allegations that consumption of tainted or substandard alcohol has resulted in illness or blacking out. If you choose to drink alcohol, it is important to do so in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill.

https://travel.state.gov/content/studentsabroad/en/beforeyou...
_____________________________
From the US State Department's Alert and Warning page.

Mexico Travel Warning

Quintana Roo (includes Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, and Tulum): No advisory is in effect. However, U.S. citizens should exercise caution when traveling south of Felipe Carrillo Puerto or east of Jose Maria Morelos as cellular and internet services are virtually non-existent.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings...

[Edited on 7-31-2017 by JoeJustJoe]

The Moral to the Story IS ?

MrBillM - 7-31-2017 at 09:36 PM

Stick with the Cerveza ?

JoeJustJoe - 8-4-2017 at 09:27 AM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch  

Trip Advisor often removes negative posts like this.

Weird; seems like they are in a position of power in this environment, why should they try to protect the establishments?

(I'm not doubting you in the least, just curious.)


Some reviewers/tourists/people on "TripAdvisor" have complained their so-called reviews, are being censored and deleted, and they want to know why.

"Trip Advisor" has consistently told these reviewers/tourists/people, some of them nutcases with an agenda, or ax to grind, that their posts were determined to be inappropriate by the TripAdvisor community and has been removed. TripAdvisor, also recommends these people review the posting guidelines.

It makes sense to me, and BTW, a lot of negative reviews do make it through the TripAdvisor censors. There is nothing wrong with a honest general negative review, but the other wild tales of mayhem, I rather not read, unless the reviewer can prove their wild allegations.

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Read the rest here:

https://www.tripadvisorsupport.com/hc/en-us/articles/2006136...


Caveat Emptor

MrBillM - 8-7-2017 at 04:15 PM

Especially in Third-World Bars.

SFandH - 8-7-2017 at 04:20 PM

Watch out for the crimps lest you get shanghaied.

[Edited on 8-7-2017 by SFandH]

mtgoat666 - 8-7-2017 at 06:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chuckie  
This incident happened way back in January....I am sure that the Mexican Law Enforcement people, working closely with the US State Dept. have this issue under control by now.


Ya, sure, you betcha! ;D


JoeJustJoe - 2-14-2018 at 09:54 AM

It looks like a misleading headline. According to the facts in the story, the only Congress persons, who want action, are from Wisconsin, where Abby Conner, died after taking many shots ( at least 5) of straight alcohol, and then drinking some more, before she ended up in the bottom of the pool with her brother.

The 140 victims, that the, Journal Sentinel, claims, most likely came from the anti-Mexico, site, "Mexico Awareness" where anonymous sources, cite their alleged bad experiences in Mexico.

The State department's only warning should be, to Americans visiting Mexico, is to drink moderately and when you get drunk, bad things could happen to you. The all inclusive resorts, that offer all the food and drinks you want, alone could kill you.
__________________________________

From USA Today:

140 victims of Mexico resort blackouts. Now, Congress wants action

Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are pressuring the State Department to reform the way it handles deaths and injuries to U.S. citizens vacationing in Mexico.

In a letter Monday to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said the more than 140 recently reported cases of tourists blacking out and getting injured — and in some cases dying — after drinking small or moderate amounts of alcohol show that the department needs to take a more “proactive, victim-centric” approach.

“While I understand that the State Department does not have legal jurisdiction to investigate specific cases, I am confident that a clear-eyed, comprehensive analysis of the information provided by victims will reveal systemic issues related to illicit alcohol, weak and corrupt law enforcement and judicial institutions, an absence of the rule of law, and an overall dangerous environment for U.S. citizens in Mexico,” Baldwin wrote.

At the urging of Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., the Office of Inspector General opened an inquiry in December into how the department has been handling reports from U.S. citizens who were injured or whose loved ones died while on vacation in Mexico. No details on the inquiry have been released.

The pressure from elected officials follows a months-long investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which first uncovered the array of problems in July.

The news organization began investigating after Abbey Conner, a 20-year-old University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student, drowned under suspicious circumstances on a family vacation in January 2017, within hours of arriving at a resort.
Her older brother, Austin, then 22, was found unconscious nearby but survived. He has no memory of what happened.

Since that story, the Journal Sentinel heard from more than 140 people who had terrifying, sometimes tragic, experiences while visiting Mexico, most often while staying at upscale, all-inclusive resorts.

“I request that the State Department use the information contained in these stories to appropriately reform its consular affairs operations in Mexico and its relationships with Mexican partner organizations that do not share our interests,” Baldwin wrote in the letter to Tillerson.

The State Department keeps sparse data on deaths of U.S. citizens in Mexico and only in the past several months began tracking injuries. It since has received 17 reports of alcohol-related injuries, according to figures the department provided Friday.


https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/12/mexi...

[Edited on 2-14-2018 by JoeJustJoe]

Wisconsin Purple Haze

MrBillM - 2-14-2018 at 01:36 PM

Given that Tammy is one of those considered vulnerable come November in a Purple state, it's likely that she would take ANY cheap opportunity to get some favorable press.

And, it's just as likely that Ron Johnson would jump in to negate any advantage she might realize.

Bottom Line .................. It's just the same old pandering.

Udo - 2-15-2018 at 10:07 AM

This type of tequila is somewhat available in several places in Baja. The most common availability is from Sandra's restaurant in Puerto Nuevo. You have to ask the bartender to buy a bottle.


Quote: Originally posted by ehall  
Mike jr. At Mikes sky ranch has some fine homemade tequila. If you ever find your way there you may be lucky enough to be offered a shot.

Be SAFE in Mexico ?

MrBillM - 2-15-2018 at 10:20 AM

Buy only BEER in bottles that are opened in front of you.

Even then you may be taking a chance.

caj13 - 2-15-2018 at 10:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by del mar  
tragic. beautiful young girl dead, im sure if she were my daughter I would want answers. good for the state dept. issuing a warning to be vigilant

dude, she drank herself to death. There is no blame elsewhere.

Lee - 2-15-2018 at 11:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by caj13  
Quote: Originally posted by del mar  
tragic. beautiful young girl dead, im sure if she were my daughter I would want answers. good for the state dept. issuing a warning to be vigilant

dude, she drank herself to death. There is no blame elsewhere.


Not the way I read it. Comprehension challenged?

''.....victims, of either spiked drinks, for a possible kidnapping, rape, or some type of foul play, or the alcohol itself was tainted, and the tainted alcohol is the reason why the pair were at the bottom of the pool, or wherever they were found in the water.''

willardguy - 2-15-2018 at 12:03 PM

yes this IS an old story...but the USA Today article is a timely and informative update to the story, regardless of whether or not you choose to believe it.

caj13 - 2-15-2018 at 12:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Quote: Originally posted by caj13  
Quote: Originally posted by del mar  
tragic. beautiful young girl dead, im sure if she were my daughter I would want answers. good for the state dept. issuing a warning to be vigilant

dude, she drank herself to death. There is no blame elsewhere.


Not the way I read it. Comprehension challenged?

''.....victims, of either spiked drinks, for a possible kidnapping, rape, or some type of foul play, or the alcohol itself was tainted, and the tainted alcohol is the reason why the pair were at the bottom of the pool, or wherever they were found in the water.''


BA level 0.24, 5 or 6 shots

JoeJustJoe - 2-15-2018 at 02:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MrBillM  
Buy only BEER in bottles that are opened in front of you.

Even then you may be taking a chance.


What you advise, always have the beer bottles in Mexico, opened in front of you, is a well known paranoid practiced by many tourists in Mexico. ( I admit I do it myself, because it's so well known)

But the question is what do you do about mixed drinks, where most of the alcohol related problems seem to occur, because the alcohol content is so much stronger in mixed drinks than regular Mexican beers have an ABV alcohol content of only about 4%.

I predict, we will see more alcohol related problems, and charges of spike drinks, in Mexico, when Mexican resorts starts serving Mexican craft beers with high ABV Alcohol above 6% to 10% like in the states.

The thing about Abby Conner's, and the alleged spike drinks, poisoned alcohol, and all the other stories about bad Mexican alcohol.

The admission by her brother, that both him and his sister( Abby) were doing shots, at least 5 shots, followed by a Jagerbomb, and possibly more drinks.

Abby's 0.25 blood alcohol level is probably consistent with a similar sized young woman, drinking the same amount of hard liquor, in the states, that we know is not tainted.

So I find it hard to believe that Abby's drinks were spiked or tainted when her brother admitted they were drinking excessively ( shots) in such a short time.





[Edited on 2-15-2018 by JoeJustJoe]

Stay out of the Mix

MrBillM - 2-15-2018 at 07:14 PM

Do as I Did.

Don't order Mixed Drinks in Mexico.

And, don't drink to excess.

Sober is safer.