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bajaboolie
Nomad
Posts: 277
Registered: 9-24-2007
Location: Aptos, CA/Mulege
Member Is Offline
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My first mordida!
Just got back from a week trip down to Mulege/Coyote Bay. First off, it was an amazing trip--loved it, loved it, loved it, as always.
But on our way home through TJ, driving through town from the road alongside the border, we noticed there were cones partially blocking the lane going
up to the border. There were also several motorcycle cops sitting by the cones. At first sight, we thought the lane was closed, so went straight,
then realized it was open and should have taken it. We drove down and turned right on a side road to bring us back and were pulled over. He was very
polite, but gave us some trumped up and inaccurate "reason" we broke a law and basically took us for $60. He of course offered to give us a $85
ticket and have us follow him to pay it, but we were so tired of being in the car at that time and were eager to get home. I didn't think at the
time to get his badge number or name, but would he even give it to us? How do you go about getting a badge number from a cop accepting a mordida?
Has anyone seen this scam at this road? This was the first time I've ever been pulled over in Mexico. And to think--if my husband hadn't listened to
me, we would have taken the road & been on our merry way!
Bajaboolie
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Fred
Senior Nomad
Posts: 500
Registered: 3-15-2007
Location: Las Vegas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Laid Back
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I remember my first stop in the 60's. Drunk and driving in TJ. Just out of high school. Those were the day when you had a $20 behind your driver's
license. Just a cheap one back then.
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
Member Is Offline
Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Sorry about that Bajaboolie. I think requesting to pay the ticket by mail is the best thing to do in this situation...at least that is what the Baja
Tourism Board suggests. Has anyone tried doing that?
I am also wondering about the whole "no ticket zone" between the last toll booth and the border that supposedly went into effect at the beginning of
summer. Apparently the cops didn't get the memo.
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BajaBruno
Super Nomad
Posts: 1035
Registered: 9-6-2006
Location: Back in CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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I those situations, I simply refuse to pay. I make a speech in my best Spanglish about how they can tow the car, take my license, give me a ticket,
or do whatever, but corruption is illegal in Mexico and I will not pay them money. The word "corruption," which is basically the same in English as
Spanish, seems to have a profound effect on the dear officer.
This has happened to me maybe eight times, always on the mainland. In every case, the cop silently hands me my license, walks to his car, and drives
away. Many of my Mexican friends/family in DF simply pay the cop when they know they are wrong, but I think that sends the wrong message; however, I
certainly don't judge the scared American for doing whatever is least scary at the moment.
[Edited on 10-16-2007 by BajaBruno]
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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i would have paid the $85 and
asked him to give you an escort to the border and
a front space in line
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Cap
Nomad
Posts: 202
Registered: 4-20-2007
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
i would have paid the $85 and
asked him to give you an escort to the border and
a front space in line |
Best answer I have heard yet.
Fly low, land on roads.
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Suzie
Junior Nomad
Posts: 31
Registered: 1-5-2006
Location: San Antonio De Las Minas, B.C.
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Not long ago on my way northbound, I was pulled over by a motorcycle officer. I was slightly exceeding the speed limit along the border fence. He
politely told me he was going to have to give me a ticket. I agreed that I was exceeding the speed limit and I would be happy to follow him to the
police station to pay the ticket (since I didn't know my way.) He then proceeded to warn me about speeding and went on his merry way. Another thing
that works is to tell them you live in Mexico and they usually will send you on your way. The corrupt ones are looking for "dumb tourists."
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Cap
Nomad
Posts: 202
Registered: 4-20-2007
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBruno
I those situations, I simply refuse to pay. I make a speech in my best Spanglish about how they can tow the car, take my license, give me a ticket,
or do whatever, but corruption is illegal in Mexico and I will not pay them money. The word "corruption," which is basically the same in English as
Spanish, seems to have a profound effect on the dear officer.
This has happened to me maybe eight times, always on the mainland. In every case, the cop silently hands me my license, walks to his car, and drives
away. Many of my Mexican friends/family in DF simply pay the cop when they know they are wrong, but I think that sends the wrong message; however, I
certainly don't judge the scared American for doing whatever is least scary at the moment.
[Edited on 10-16-2007 by BajaBruno] |
Good for you, I am glad to see someone stand up and prevail too.
We have this same problem, mind you on a much smaller scale, flying in Mexico. Mostly on the mainland, but occasionally in Baja. The trumped up
charges vary; Customs is closed on weekends, you did not gt the proper stamp on your form etc. But, I always flatly refuse to pay, and request that we
make some calls to officials. It is amazing how fast the problem goes away.
Of course in the middle of a busy Int'l airport it is easy to be brave. I would probably be less inclined on a side street of Tijuana.
Fly low, land on roads.
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jmacallister
Newbie
Posts: 1
Registered: 8-16-2007
Location: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Giddy
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Ran into a new form of the "Baja Bite" on Sunday at the airport in San Jose del Cabo. Three of us were returning from a fishing trip to the East Cape
and lugging a bunch of rods, reels, and fish. The "Mexican TSA" inspector hand-checking our bags said that one of them was clearly over weight and
would cost us an additional $50 in Alaska Airline fees. However, for a mere $20, our ever-eager philandropist would see to it that our bags weren't
weighed. My colleague whipped out the twenty and that was that. Shortly thereafter, we were back to the usual routine of Pemex sleight of hand while
returning our rental car. Unfortunately for the pump jockey, we weren't in the mood to be tapped again and read him the riot act until sheepishly
pulled the missing $20 from his pocket. In the game of modida, batting .500 isn't all that bad I'd say. Or not.
John
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaboolie
Just got back from a week trip down to Mulege/Coyote Bay. First off, it was an amazing trip--loved it, loved it, loved it, as always.
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Hey, we just got back from the same trip. We stayed for two nights on Coyote beach. Last Tuesday and Wednesday nights - were you there then? We
were the couple in the cabover camper with a bright green tandum kayak.
Bob H
PS: Sorry to hear about being pulled over in TJ.
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bajarich
Nomad
Posts: 464
Registered: 1-13-2005
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When I returned from the East Cape in April, I missed the border exit, took the next one and went around the block to get in the border line. There
was a stop sign where I made a full stop before the last right turn. As I was just approaching the line I noticed a motorcycle officer with lights
flashing behind me. He told me that I had not stopped for a full 3 seconds at the stop sign and that I could pay him $50 or I could go to the station
where the fine would be $75. He took my drivers license and went back to his motorcycle. When he returned I told him I wanted to go to the station,
but he would have to escort me to turn around (with my boat) in front of all the oncoming traffic. He handed my drivers license back and smilled an
said " Have a Nice Day".
[Edited on 10-16-2007 by bajarich]
[Edited on 10-16-2007 by bajarich]
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bajaboolie
Nomad
Posts: 277
Registered: 9-24-2007
Location: Aptos, CA/Mulege
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Bajarich, that was the exact same spot (and same missed exit) we were in. I started to question his reason for the mordida, but figured I'd be smart
to keep my mouth shut. After all, he has a gun and I don't, and I'm just not familiar with TJ streets. They really have to reach to find excuses to
pull people over.
Bajaboolie
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bajaboolie
Nomad
Posts: 277
Registered: 9-24-2007
Location: Aptos, CA/Mulege
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaboolie
Just got back from a week trip down to Mulege/Coyote Bay. First off, it was an amazing trip--loved it, loved it, loved it, as always.
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Hey, we just got back from the same trip. We stayed for two nights on Coyote beach. Last Tuesday and Wednesday nights - were you there then? We
were the couple in the cabover camper with a bright green tandum kayak.
Bob H
PS: Sorry to hear about being pulled over in TJ. |
Bob, yes we were there then! Small world. We were staying in one of the houses, the third one from the most south. We even took a walk, intending
to walk as far as the campers, but our daughter was collecting shells at a snail's pace, so we turned around before it got too dark.
Bajaboolie
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Lindalou
Senior Nomad
Posts: 623
Registered: 1-12-2004
Location: Punta Banda Baja
Member Is Offline
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Were you by any chance at Chets and Meridas?
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bajaboolie
Nomad
Posts: 277
Registered: 9-24-2007
Location: Aptos, CA/Mulege
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by RichnLinda
Were you by any chance at Chets and Meridas? |
Chet & Merida...no we weren't. I'm not sure who they are. Do you know which house is theirs? I'm guessing my dad or uncle would know them.
Bajaboolie
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lizard lips
Super Nomad
Posts: 1468
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: EARTH
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I Think next time you come back through TJ just look for a cop, any cop, and go straight up to him and give him a $50.00 bill. In fact I think every
gringo should do this before heading home! Lets all just make it easy for them. Why should we make them start up the patrol car then have them think
of some stupid excuse like your tires dont have enough air or it's illegal in Mexico to drive with both hands on the steering wheel. Just give them
the cash.....
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaboolie
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaboolie
Just got back from a week trip down to Mulege/Coyote Bay. First off, it was an amazing trip--loved it, loved it, loved it, as always.
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Hey, we just got back from the same trip. We stayed for two nights on Coyote beach. Last Tuesday and Wednesday nights - were you there then? We
were the couple in the cabover camper with a bright green tandum kayak.
Bob H
PS: Sorry to hear about being pulled over in TJ. |
Bob, yes we were there then! Small world. We were staying in one of the houses, the third one from the most south. We even took a walk, intending
to walk as far as the campers, but our daughter was collecting shells at a snail's pace, so we turned around before it got too dark.
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We kayaked past those homes on Wednesday morning - the water was soooo smooth. There were a few chairs down by the water around where you were - was
that you guys? Unreal. Did you hang around Mulege the Sunday before and watch NFL football at El Candil on Sunday (Chargers -vs- Denver) at the bar?
Bob H
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64723
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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With the Blvd. 2000 open and a beautiful drive... why are you guys going through TJ that way and putting up with their stuff? http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=24396
Nobody mentioned Sindicatura yet? http://www.sindicatura.gob.mx/complaints/Complaints.asp
[Edited on 10-17-2007 by David K]
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Baja&Back
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 9-10-2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada / todo de Baja
Member Is Offline
Mood: Rarin' to go South!
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Hey, David, thanks for that link. I have bookmarked it on my laptop that we will take south with us.
It'll be SO convenient if we get hit up!! 
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Didn''t you find it interesting that Fernando posted an article about blvd. 2000? It sounds like he and other locals in that area will not take that
road?
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