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MMc
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Registered: 6-29-2011
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When I had places in Mexico I would always stop by this time of year with cash and cookies. You can never be to nice to the local cop.
Love the M/C call.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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captkw
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Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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Mulegina
Very true and also right before valitine day too...every xmas and viny day each year like clock work !!....maybe one of the very consistant things
about mex/Baja.......................
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DanO
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Location: Not far from the Pacific
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The Policia Federal de Caminos? I have never had an issue with those guys looking for a bite, ever. Local cops, sure, but not those guys. Anyone
here ever been shaken down by the Feds? If you have a story to tell from that specific area, tell it. That is an important spot on the highway and
for us to be spreading unsubstantiated BS about the Federales on the take there is totally irresponsible. Unless your intent is to scare all the
touristas off the highway over the holidays, in which case fine, it just increases my chances of survival when I head down to San Quintin for my
annual oyster run.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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Mulegena
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Federales can and sometimes do set up roadblocks on Mex 1 and come up with an infraction where you pay them discreetly (don't flash your wallet around
they'll tell you), you pay the officer directly in cash, on the spot. This happened to my husband two years ago during the Christmas season up on the
crest of the hill by Tres Virgenes about a half-hour north of Sta. Rosalia. He's a Mexican national, btw, and he understood exactly what was going
down-- it's Christmas. He took the bite philosophically.
As to the topic of the thread, the Federales on the southbound Maneadero grade asking for visas, I've no comment.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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monoloco
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
Federales can and sometimes do set up roadblocks on Mex 1 and come up with an infraction where you pay them discreetly (don't flash your wallet around
they'll tell you), you pay the officer directly in cash, on the spot. This happened to my husband two years ago during the Christmas season up on the
crest of the hill by Tres Virgenes about a half-hour north of Sta. Rosalia. He's a Mexican national, btw, and he understood exactly what was going
down-- it's Christmas. He took the bite philosophically.
As to the topic of the thread, the Federales on the southbound Maneadero grade asking for visas, I've no comment. |
If you pay them mordida, you are just perpetuating the problem. Just say no to bribery and be part of the solution.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Pescador
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DanO
The Policia Federal de Caminos? I have never had an issue with those guys looking for a bite, ever. Local cops, sure, but not those guys. Anyone
here ever been shaken down by the Feds? If you have a story to tell from that specific area, tell it. That is an important spot on the highway and
for us to be spreading unsubstantiated BS about the Federales on the take there is totally irresponsible. Unless your intent is to scare all the
touristas off the highway over the holidays, in which case fine, it just increases my chances of survival when I head down to San Quintin for my
annual oyster run. |
I too have never seen or heard of the federales soliciting or asking for mordida. With the truck drivers, it is a whole different story and you will
get a pretty strong response when you ask them. Kinda like the port offices back in the states.
The checkpoint they are referring to is a Federal checkpoint just south of the entrance to Las Canadas. The signs all indicate that the checkpoint
belongs to the Federales which are referred to in Mexico as the pandas because they drive black and white cars. They also had a checkpoint for awhile
at San Ignacio where they focused on proper vehicle registration.
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durrelllrobert
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Location: Punta Banda BC
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This (usually) works
| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
Federales can and sometimes do set up roadblocks on Mex 1 and come up with an infraction where you pay them discreetly (don't flash your wallet around
they'll tell you), you pay the officer directly in cash, on the spot. This happened to my husband two years ago during the Christmas season up on the
crest of the hill by Tres Virgenes about a half-hour north of Sta. Rosalia. He's a Mexican national, btw, and he understood exactly what was going
down-- it's Christmas. He took the bite philosophically.
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Bob Durrell
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Martyman
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
Does anyone remember back in the day, when Maneadero was just a stop sign? Where the road forks, at that very first "mini mall" (no Pemex or bank at
the time) there used to be a required stop to show "Paperwork" going in both directions.
Thanks for the heads up, ours are still good from our last visit.
P>*)))>{
[Edited on 6-12-2013 by Paulina] |
Yeah I remember hitchhiking down the peninsula in 1980. The gringo that gave us a ride blew right thru that stop in Maneadero. The officers had no
car to chase us!
Anyway when we got to Mulege the driver pulls up to his friends house, opens up the back of the station wagon and he's got a dozen new 22 rifles still
in the boxes! I had no idea. They were quickly bought up by the locals.
And that was my career as a gun smuggler.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Martyman
| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
Does anyone remember back in the day, when Maneadero was just a stop sign? Where the road forks, at that very first "mini mall" (no Pemex or bank at
the time) there used to be a required stop to show "Paperwork" going in both directions.
Thanks for the heads up, ours are still good from our last visit.
P>*)))>{
[Edited on 6-12-2013 by Paulina] |
Yeah I remember hitchhiking down the peninsula in 1980. The gringo that gave us a ride blew right thru that stop in Maneadero. The officers had no
car to chase us!
Anyway when we got to Mulege the driver pulls up to his friends house, opens up the back of the station wagon and he's got a dozen new 22 rifles still
in the boxes! I had no idea. They were quickly bought up by the locals.
And that was my career as a gun smuggler. |
Great story! I knew another gringo who told me of just blowing by the station... they don't chase you, it is all an honor system.
I recall a time when my parents and I went to Castro's Camp (near Erendira) in the late 70's for some bottom fishing. My dad stopped at the Maneadero
booth, and we got our tourist cards there (they were free before mid-2000). The official was dressed up like a general in the army, little rope on his
shoulder, etc... and after giving my dad the 3 tourist cards, said, in a low tone of voice, "If you would like to give me a tip... I WILL accept it."
My dad did tip him, and we had great laughs and storytelling ever since! Love Mexico!!
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Lee
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Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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I was stopped by federales, I think, about 5 years ago, North of San Quintin asking for FMM papers. He did say the impromptu checkpoint was only
checking for that. Didn't have on a federale uniform but dressed in black. I'm surprised I'm not asked more about my immigration status. Like
my dog papers, nobody asks.
Think it's a few years since federales were stopping cars on the way to the San Jose airport (at the bottom of the hill), collecting fines for
speeding. Think that stuff was posted here.
Don't think there's anyone in the food chain in MX who isn't up for gratuities. The holidays are always a good time.
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monoloco
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I wish people would quit using the term "federales", it's kind of a nebulous term.
There are Federal de Caminos, Federal Police, INM, and military, all which are "federal", so when someone says federale, it's not clear just who they
are referring to.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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astrobaja
Senior Nomad
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Immigration checkpoint
Hi all,
My Wife and I were headed up to Ensenada for mail and supplies this last wednesday and were ran into a immigration checkpoint right by Las Canadas
campground (where the Federales sometimes have one for the truckers). They were mostly pulling cars over northbound. They asked if we were tourists or
residents and we told them we were in Baja now for 6 years. We did'nt have our FM2's with us as they are being renewed but the guy took our passports
and called the office to check our status.
They were very cordial and spoke perfect English (we speak fairly good Spanish so we just stayed with that) and after five minutes he let us go.
Anyhow this was the 1st time ever that we were asked for any kind of papers so I'm wondering if this is a new thing or if they figure they would do a
sting on those that do not get thier tourist cards when heading south....
\"There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear
and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.There is another theory which states that this has already happened\"
Douglas Adams
our website: http://bajadarkskies.com |
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64837
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Hi Mike, nice to get some more on this... Thank you!
It was already reported here, yesterday: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=70805
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64837
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Confirmed: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=70818
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aguachico
Senior Nomad
Posts: 602
Registered: 3-23-2007
Location: tijuana
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Mood: logic cannot get thru to the illogical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pescador
The signs all indicate that the checkpoint belongs to the Federales which are referred to in Mexico as the pandas because they drive black and white
cars. They also had a checkpoint for awhile at San Ignacio where they focused on proper vehicle registration. |
Pandas? I have heard lobos, but never pandas. I have also hear 'ratas con dos patas" Pandas
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astrobaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
Registered: 5-22-2006
Location: near San Pedro Martir Park
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Oh ok thanks David, just to be clear these were INM officers that checked us, although the Federal police were there too just checking the trucks as
they often do going southbound...
\"There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear
and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.There is another theory which states that this has already happened\"
Douglas Adams
our website: http://bajadarkskies.com |
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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
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I prefer this one:
| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
Federales can and sometimes do set up roadblocks on Mex 1 and come up with an infraction where you pay them discreetly (don't flash your wallet around
they'll tell you), you pay the officer directly in cash, on the spot. This happened to my husband two years ago during the Christmas season up on the
crest of the hill by Tres Virgenes about a half-hour north of Sta. Rosalia. He's a Mexican national, btw, and he understood exactly what was going
down-- it's Christmas. He took the bite philosophically.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by aguachico
| Quote: | Originally posted by Pescador
The signs all indicate that the checkpoint belongs to the Federales which are referred to in Mexico as the pandas because they drive black and white
cars. They also had a checkpoint for awhile at San Ignacio where they focused on proper vehicle registration. |
Pandas? I have heard lobos, but never pandas. I have also hear 'ratas con dos patas" Pandas |
They are also often referred to as zorillos. (skunks)
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Of all the various police and immigration entities, the Black and Whites seem to garner the most respect, sort of like the California Highway Patrol.
I believe they are there for the public safety and see that as their mission.
I have never been stopped by one but a girlfriend, who was following me in a separate vehicle, was trying to catch up with me and was pulled over for
speeding. They were polite, gave her a verbal warning and let her go. I'm sure her good looks had something to do with it. 
Several years ago I was stopped by 2 Tijuana motorcycle cops. Brand new stop signs had been put in to stop you before you enter the roundabout. I was
quite familiar with that roundabout and didn't even see the stop signs. Prior to the new stop signs, you just merged with the traffic in the circle.
The cops were there for easy pickings. I had indeed broken the law. When I asked if there was any way we could all save some time and take care of
this right now, he said, "Well OK! Hide it in that newspaper that was on my front seat." $20.00, and I got off easy.
One time when I was stopped at the border, the agent asked, "Do you have any Drogs?" I said "no". He asked, "Do you have any gons?" I said "no". He
then asked, "Do you have anytheeng for me?" I laughed as though it were a big joke. Then he laughed and I was on my way...no mordita.
Anyway, back to topic, all law entities can ask to see your "visa", although the rarely do. But why wouldn't you have it to show? It is so easy to
get. Why take the chance? You know what would happen in our country if an illegal were stopped... Why would you think we are special? That attitude of entitlement is a trait North Americans display all too often, and
it ugly!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64837
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by astrobaja
Oh ok thanks David, just to be clear these were INM officers that checked us, although the Federal police were there too just checking the trucks as
they often do going southbound... |
Good to know... I wonder if they will set up the same checkpoint when driving south of San Felipe (for the first time)?
Did you ask if they could issue tourist cards there? Sometimes people who were only going to Ensenada may decide to hop on down to San Quintin... No
way will they drive to the border madhouse to do this. The Ensenada INM isn't always there either, as Bryan McKenzie had recently discovered.
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