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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3871
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Corrupt cops at Tecate border
Today, a co-worker related this story:
He, his wife and another couple spent Saturday night at a very nice hotel outside Ensenada and decided to cross the border at Tecate on Sunday. Not
having crossed there before they were unaware that you need to turn right to find the end of the line (despite the signs that point to San Diego, Hwy
94 which would direct you straight or left). Of course when they attempted to get in line there others in line began honking their horns and a
policeman appeared on the scene. The policeman took all of their drivers licenses, and told them that they were going to give them a ticket or go to
jail, and if they wanted to pay up right then, it would be $185. The driver objected somewhat, and the policeman said he would escort them to the end
of the line. Once there, he again told them he would give them a ticket and they could pay then or at the station. The driver paid the policeman
$175 because he needed to get across the border without delay.
I'm relating this because the police have not cleaned up their act, and continue to intimidate tourists (and apparently upped the ante -- $185?). Of
course, my friend's wife refuses to go into Mexico again because of this.
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TMW
Select Nomad
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Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Wow, I cross at Tecate all the time and I've seen the police just tell the cars trying to break into the line to go to the end. If it were me (I don't
cut the line) but if it were, I'd go to the police station rather than give the cop any money.
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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Mood: wait and see
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I believe that's called the "Impuesto Sobre Idiotas" and is a very important segment of the local economy.
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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Too funny
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MICK
Nomad
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Location: Rio Hardy
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Mood: livin the good life on the river
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Bummer, I cross there all the time and have seen many people pulled out of line and sent to the back. I have never seen any of the cops write a
ticket or stop anyone for any amount of time. I agree I would have told him to take us to the station and he more than likely would have just let them
go. It has been my experience that their looking for the easy marks and anyone who gives then trouble they just let go. Sorry to here about this
because it was one crossing I never gave a thought to going thru.
Mick
Getting there is ALL the fun!
Ok being here is fun to
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Keri
Super Nomad
Posts: 1393
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: La Mision, Baja Norte
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Mood: muy contento
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Don't forget
It's christmas season. They need extra money for presents . k 
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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I have to agree with many here, if he paid 185 bucks, he deserves it.
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
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And as Keri said
expect for this kind of thing to happen a lot down here at this time of year. As unfortunate for some that it may be, it is the way it works!
So be very careful while driving at this time of year, there will be more police out looking for the slightest little things. Kinda like in the u.s.
during holiday season but no courts or insurance increases involved.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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Hey! You Guys
How quickly we forget. Christmas is always bad because of the party's. But New Years is always the worst because then then they have to pay for
everything including the headaches.
A smart Baja Person never expects to cross the border, in either direction, between December 15th and January 10th. without a five dollar bill in
hand/or is it now ten or twenty. Smile and pass it on and you will not go to the end of the line and the fine will never happen.
Es Verdad!
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Baja Bernie----I can't believe you said that.
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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Mood: wait and see
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Aw, c'mon, it's xmas, a fiver is a tip, just a little grease to speed things along, not a reason to make a big deal out of it. $185 for a
misunderstood wrong turn is entirely another matter. No way in hell should one allow such extorsion. It's all relative to the circumstance of the
moment.
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Me No
Banned
Posts: 444
Registered: 11-24-2003
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Oso.
I've come to call that, the gingo sir charge.
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thekookbuster
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 8-26-2004
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I unknowingly did that once and the officer on a mountain bike was polite and told me where the back of the line was. Guess sheeet happens huh?
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MICK
Nomad
Posts: 499
Registered: 11-12-2003
Location: Rio Hardy
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Mood: livin the good life on the river
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One has to wonder if this person was smart enough to get the officers name and badge number? At least they could report him. I have been sent away
without paying just for asking for these things.
I guess if you were smart enough to pay that kind of money you wouldn't think about who you were paying it to!
I have a good friend who lives in baja sur in a small town and he just goes up to the police station on the first of Dec and gives them 250.00 as a
present. He said he got tired of getting stopped all the time just before Christmas and now they leave him alone. How sad it has to be like that
Mick
Getting there is ALL the fun!
Ok being here is fun to
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Don Jorge
Senior Nomad
Posts: 656
Registered: 8-29-2003
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The good news is he doesn't have to take his wife to Mexico anymore.
The bad news is she will go shopping while he is in Mexico and the 185 bucks will seem like a bargain.
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"All models are wrong, but some are useful." George E.P. Box
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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Now that's cold!!
otherwise know as a "blessing in disguise"
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3871
Registered: 2-9-2004
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The cop did ask the driver, menacingly, "now I suppose you're going to take my name and badge number and report me to the commissioner", insinuating
that if he did there would be more trouble. When you find yourself in that position - trying to get out of the country - it's difficult to learn your
options and take action. BTW, he didn't make any wrong turn - he followed the signs; but the "end of the line" protocol is an entirely different
matter - and not signed -- probably on purpose so this band of thieves can prey on their victims at will. I bet the police chief gets his cut too.
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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Yah buddy
These guys are regular "monsters"
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Dave
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by wilderone
I bet the police chief gets his cut too. |
That would be a safe bet. Police officers give propinas to their superiors to get and maintain their jobs. Consider yourself the lowest on the food
chain.
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Taco de Baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1913
Registered: 4-14-2004
Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
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Mood: Dreamin' of Baja
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I'll bet $175 that on his next trip into Baja (without his wife) that he does not cut into line again....
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