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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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Check Points
Got this over the Loreto email network:
| Quote: | | There have been some disturbing reports about the military check point near Jesus Maria (north of Guerrero Negro). The young military men are
starting to search more thoroughly. One person reported a diamond ring missing that was very well hidden. Another person said one man went through
her medicine bottles and smelled them and even her handbag. Try to stay with the military personnel while they are searching your belongings.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Checkpoint 101
| Quote: | Originally posted by Don Alley
One person reported a diamond ring missing that was very well hidden. Another person said one man went through her medicine bottles and smelled them
and even her handbag. |
Keep your valuables on your person. I have never been, nor heard of the military searching/padding people down. Wear your watch, jewelry etc.
Keep money & prescriptions in your pocket. Do Not surrender your handbag or wallet. Hold small items that might be tempting.
If there ever came a time that the military would steal a ring off someone's finger it would be time for all gringos to leave Mexico.
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Capt. George
Super Nomad
Posts: 2129
Registered: 8-21-2003
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anything like this should be reported to the commandante in charge of that checkpoint.........
\"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men\" Plato
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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My Spanish is not great, and I have never been real comfortable with military check points, but a few years ago when the Black Shirts were sharing
duty with the Army at the reten south of Maneadero a Black Shirt POS touched my wife more than once on the thigh and on the neck, told her how pretty
she was, and asked if she had children. I didn't see it and was in the back watching our stuff while she sat in front frozen with fear watching the
cab. When I drove away and saw her in tears, I spun a squeeling U turn and slid into the southbound lanes yelling for the "Jefe". After a couple of
lower ranking slime tried to slough me off, I finally got a ranking officer.
Suffice to say that when I was through, he completely believed that I was going to stop and talk to ANYONE military who would listen at every
opportunity in the Ensenada area.
As I was preparing to drive away, he came to our truck and personally apologized to my wife, and in fact convinced me that there was going to be some
hell to pay in his unit.
If you have nothing to hide, "climb the chain" the officers are not out there inspecting vehicles, you have to get in someone's face. Tenemos
Derechos! P*nche Gringos or not.
I want to add that both in December and again this March, we found the searches to be more thorough. It is also getting close to the point of having
to hide the alcohol. I've never before been begged for beer.
[Edited on 4-29-2007 by vgabndo]
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65304
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Good for you Perry!
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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The most thorough inspection was at the milepost 25 (San Bruno junction) north of Loreto, northbound lane. They had long metal handled wires with
metal weights attached. Then were tapping underneath our SUV, taping the roof lining on the inside. Looking under the seats, tapping the inside
mouldings, etc. And for the first time, asked us to open the hood.
This was with the Vagabundo del Mar magnetic signs, which before had always been a "quickie" look inside. Maybe good that they are increasing their
inspections for drugs. IN the states were losing the War on Drugs. I wish I had a magic wand & could place it on the forehead of every child born
today & into the future to keep it "drug free"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Maybe because we are old, chubby, and look harmless, or maybe we are just lucky. We have been through Jesus Maria 3 times in the last 6 weeks and
the search has been next to nothing.
Our dogs usually distract them. The big one tries to make friends, and the little one acts like she is going to eat them---they like both.
John takes one dog, or I take both of them at times. I stand by the cab and watch----our truck is usually PACKED. They may look under towels stuffed
on the floor in the back (we have an access cab) They really don't look too well. One picked up the binocular case, handed it to me to open, and
then said, OK, and we exchanged the word in English and Spanish.
John opens the back of the truck and says they usually stick their hand in one bag, open the ice chest and poke around just a little. We have never
been asked for anything---just questions about our dogs.
If we were not treated so well, we sure would have no problem complaining. The army "kids" have always treated us well.
It is good, however, to hear these stories---reminds us to continue to be vigilant.
Diane
[Edited on 4-30-2007 by jdtrotter]
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osoflojo
Nomad
Posts: 378
Registered: 10-29-2004
Location: c.s.l./b.c.s.
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The last few times I have been through any of the checkpoints it looks like their training has gotten way better.
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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No matter what training, one well trained dog can do ten times the work of a platoon of soldiers. Always wondered why the Mexican military doesn't "
employ " canines.
Anybody knows.
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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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Mexican K-9's legs would be too short
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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Vandenberg
It has been several years ago but I spoke with a young soldier/dog handler with a German Shepherd who had recently returned to Mexico from Europe
where he had trained with his four legged partner. This was at the reten on the mesa north of El Rosario.
It seems likely that such valuable resources ended up being used elsewhere in the country where they could be put to better use.
This was an obviously well trained animal, and the handler had several patches on his uniform relative to his job and training.
[Edited on 4-30-2007 by vgabndo]
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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Peloncito
Junior Nomad
Posts: 66
Registered: 1-9-2007
Location: Los Gatos, CA - Los Barriles, BCS
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I just drove down and back from my house in Los Barriles. Heading south, got the usual wave and a "pasa le". I usually bring boxes of chocolate bars
and sodas for the guys, "just doing their jobs". Heading north, I was stopped and the car fully searched at every checkpoint. Obviously, that is the
smuggling direction. I have never had a problem @ any of the checkpoints in 20± years of driving the full length of Baja. Hope my luck continues.
Kind of makes you wonder how many "bad seeds" the US authorities might find if they setup random check points along highway 5?
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Capt. George
Super Nomad
Posts: 2129
Registered: 8-21-2003
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would not get away with wasteing the tax payers dollar on this caca de baca.
as long as there are users etc., etc. The War on Drugs aka; Get the Fat Cats Richer (not the "illegal" ones, just our politically connected
thieves).
\"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men\" Plato
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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U.S. Random Check Points ?
Thankfully, the Courts have ruled time and again that such "Random" Checks are unconstitutional in the U.S.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MrBillM
Thankfully, the Courts have ruled time and again that such "Random" Checks are unconstitutional in the U.S. |
Tell that to the Border Patrol with all their checkpoints on various highways.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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Bill, I don't think constitutionality has anything to do with it, and I think you are mistaken.
Under the terms of the so-called PATRIOT ACT there is no longer any such thing as as an illegal search. Even before that local police, sheriff's
departments and the CHP routinely set up drug control road blocks all over California. This is especially common around holidays like the 4th. of
July and Memorial Day to try to interdict drunken drivers.
These random searches automatically include the issuance of citations for seatbelt infractions, child safety seat violations, and anything relating to
irregularities with "your papers please".
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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pangamadness
Nomad
Posts: 378
Registered: 9-22-2003
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Mood: Under H20
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I guess the check points are necessary and I feel safer with them in place but I have experienced some problems. However, not a lot in 27 years. Two
times I caught the soldier digging in my wife’s bag and checking out her underwear. Both times they were noticeably embarrassed. A vehicle
traveling with me had $ 100 stolen. Did not notice till they were 100 miles down the road. Many times I have found beers in their pockets as they
were coming out of my camper after searching and once I recovered my mag light stuck in the pocket of a soldier who searched my camper. He said it was
his, my name was on the light. Another time a soldier dropped a 22 bullet on the ground and played as though it came from my camper. He thought it
was funny and only played it for a moment. The worst was in La Paz when a soldier opened my socket set and it spilled out in the back of the truck
every where. The truck was fully packed and I never found all the parts.
I always hide the valuables and observe the search closely. I had a friend write in Spanish for me how to politely request to observe the search and
to search 1st the front and then the back. Seems to put them on there good behavior.
As for dogs, a dog found this load
[Edited on 5-5-2007 by pangamadness]
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Random Checks ?
I haven't felt the inclination to actually READ the Patriot Act provisions. It seems that usually we simply hear someone giving their (biased)
interpretation of various aspects of said legislation, frequently incorrectly in the case of partisan politicians. Since others have obviously been
more studious in this respect, I would welcome ANY Learned edification on the subject. Please include the Page, Section and
Paragraph when quoting so that we may go to it for reference.
Having said that, Prior to the passage of the Patriot act, the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding highway
checks have limited them to a specific purpose by Immigration or Local Law Enforcement. Granted, it is true that they have allowed Law Enforcement to
"Fudge" somewhat such as the "Inland Immigration Checkpoints" wherein they legally were limited to checking Immigration status. However, we all know
that there is almost without exception a CHP unit sitting there and IF, "Incidental" to their stop, they witness something suspicious
or a violation of California law, they pass this on to that CHP person.
Nonetheless, prior to the passage of the Patriot Act (assuming you're correct), the courts have consistently ruled that Vehicle Safety Roadblocks must
be limited to their supposed purpose. If you pull up to one sober and not acting suspicious, with current licensing and no vehicle defects, they are
NOT given free reign to begin searching the vehicle without probable cause. I have seen cases within the last year when the Police search was
declared invalid on those grounds. Not being FEDERAL ICE or DHS employees, the (New) rules may be different. Illumination is welcomed.
Clearly, that is a SIGNIFICANT difference from the Mexico Model.
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Bedman
Senior Nomad
Posts: 523
Registered: 9-4-2002
Location: Orange County, CA.
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Clearly stated Mr. Bill,
I have seldom been a participant in any sort of North of the border search but.... I do watch "Cops".
I always find it amusing when an officer says "Do you mind if I look in the trunk?" and hear the stuttering and stammering of the suspect. And then
the officer says "You can refuse, but then I would have a reason to look!" Catch 22.
Bedman
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amir
Senior Nomad
Posts: 559
Registered: 5-4-2007
Location: Todos Santos, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: chiropractic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by vandenberg
Always wondered why the Mexican military doesn't " employ " canines.
Anybody knows. |
This kind of work is really hard on the dogs: Training is brutal and requires teaching the animals by inhaling powerful toxic substances to learn to
identify them. Most dogs don't even qualify for the training yet many have to be exposed to find promising canditates. The testing and training often
sickens the animals permanently and renders them useless. The ones that survive the training and are comissioned, get overworked because there aren't
that many animals that graduate from these sniffing schools alive! These special dogs should "work" for a maximum of 2 hours a day, but instead they
are made to work overtime because of their scarcity and expense - this abuse kills them young and they don't have a very long "service" life. It is a
cruel treatment of our K9 friends, and these animals should be reserved for real service, not just random checks to give us the "illusion" of safety
and security.
The checkpoints have become more active under the recent increased pressure of US politics, in my opinion, to create a wedge between gringos and the
Mexican military. "Divide and Conquer" in contemporary divisive tactics.
The best rule to observe at these checkpoints is NOT to carry contraband: don't bring weapons coming south, and don't smuggle drugs going north; those
are the things they are looking for. If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about!
--Amir.
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