BEWARE - TJ Shakedown!

[Leira]

This used to be a fairly rare occuarance. Sadly it is happening at the border with increasing frequency.

However, it appears you were searched. And there was no shakedown.

The cops in Mexico can legally stop and search people in ways that are illegal in the US. The search was legal.

Had you being carrying drugs or even medication bought in Mexico without a Rx then they'd have tried to get you to pay a bribe. Most guys will, instead of seeing a judge. (The maximum fine is $125.00. But usually the cops cut guys lose who demand to see the judge.)

Sadly, had you been drunk or had you not held your money and wallet in your hand they might have stolen something. (That too didn't used to happen often but is now increasingly common.)

The cops work both the taxi drop off point and the bridge. I prefer to use the taxi drop off point as it's more visible. Also, I wait in the cab until the cops are busy or I can blend into a group if I get bad "vibes" when crossing back to the US.

It's too bad you had this experience. The cops were definately "prospecting," but if they didn't take any money there was no shakedown--just a search that was legal under Mexican law.

As I've posted, there is nothing the cops like more than to catch a grino "fair and square" breaking the law. For them, it's like winning the lottery. So always be "squeky clean" in Mexico. As I've said before, you are playing a game, like football, with the cops. Like football it is a rough game. Like football it has rules. Like football sometimes players break the rules.

 

[murphdog6]

Although a few in this forum will disagree, the cops who search you and tell you to empty your pockets are trying to get your money. The honest cops probably won't do anything more than ask you a few questions. Hold onto your cash when you empty your pockets. They will probably search your wallet as well. They searched mine. They will try to steal some money before they let you go if you give them the chance.It might not matter about the taxi back J Ladoe, as they are sometimes shaking us down at the dropoff points.

 

[hopeless4love]

hiugiuoihotgigu

 

[Larissa]

Went there last night 21 FEB 06 around 9pm on my way back to the US side, at the first stairs to the bridge i got shook down by some prick cop and his sidekick, I had to empty all pockets, and all, he asked if i had pills, luckily NO, So i was able to go, first time this ever happened, note to self...take TAXI back to border!!

 

[VitaminWaterGuy]

I've never seen or heard of a guy getting in trouble with the cops for being with a street girl in the alley. There's a reason it's called the Zone of Tolerance. I don't want to appear to be giving you a hard time as I'm generally a cautions persona and believe a person will seldom go wrong by erring on the side of caution.

 

[Duddeee]

I saw this thread about a couple of weeks ago, i went down there yesterday the 12th Sunday, beautiful day, and yes in fact the police were out in force, i first saw them arrest a couple of locals by the arch off of revolucion, and then while cruising the back alley "20" dollar hoes they were all over that place, i even saw them arrest some guy. Anyway i was just about to get this young looking street girl but i felt i was being watched by the street cops, so i bailed to Adelitas.

 

[NikkiBay8]

These things tend to go in cycles. Something (other the need for extra money at Christmas or a change in top managment) sets things in motion. In this case the CNN may be the cause. Another possibility is that after US Customs found the the tunnel in Otay they got very agressive, causing long lines when returning to the US. This cause a slump in tourism. The TJ cops are responding. Things usually return to normal before long.

When returning to the border one probably faces the greates risk during the entire trip of encourtering a corrupt cop. The Zona area is next. Elsewhere one usually doesn't have problems.

Problems have been reported with TJ cops scaming tourists at both the SENTRI drop off and on the Pedestrain bridge. So there is really no way bypass the cops when returing by foot.

Solutions are to drive and that MexiCoach. (If you do, I suggest you park away from the Zona and avoid using 3rd Street and other routes taking you close to the border. That's the area where the traffic scams are most prevelent.)

If you take the MexiCoach bus I suggest buying a book of tickets. A single ticket is now $3.00, but I think it is still a $1.00 when buying a book of tickets.

A few tips:
--Using the bus--as posted above--is a good idea.
--The later it gets at night the worse the risk. Spend the night if you party late.
--Return with a buddie or in a group.
--Try to blend into a group of other people.
--Get a regular taxi driver and tip him. If there is nobody in sight, sit in the cab until other people show up.
--Keep you valuables--money, etc.-- in your hands.
--Be firm, but respectful. (If you aren't "respectful" you'll inflame the situation.
--Politely refuse to be search. Tell them you to take you to the police station or to call their supervisor. If they object--before the search you--say something like. "I've done nothing wrong, what you are going isn't right. Badge ### if you search me I'm going to report it to Sindicutura."
--If you have problems, report it. Waren's advice is great; he's a man whose "been there" and knows what he's talking aobut.

 

[daxica]

Very quiet along the border Monday night/Tuesday morning. I find going on an off night is a more pleasant experience. Not as many chicas, but plenty of choice and not nearly the crowds of gringos. Saw the usual policias around the zona and making stops, but no problems around linea. Just an fyi.

 

[Doctor Doom]

o[uotgiyguh

 

[squishy]

o[j98utuigyui

 

[Rahrah]

Thanks for the intel, guys. I used to be a skeptic, but the steady stream of reports is pretty convincing that there is a clear spike in police misconduct. i have seen a group of 4 cops hanging out right at the exit of the foot bridge at Linea Sentri on several occasions in the last few months. I have not seen them "pounce" on anyone, but it is clear that they are up to no good.

It might be a good idea to share a cab with another American back to the border if you are traveling alone. There is always safety in numbers because they are less likely to mess with 2-3 guys in the same way. But, who knows?

 

[moon]

what time of day? broad daylight?

and has anyone heard about taking a public bus across?

 

[LittleFoot]

lihiyf 7fuygiuh

 

[Ahmad Sheikh Aljoofri]

There have also been posts that the TJ policia were waiting on the bridge and shaking down gringos crossing the bridge to go back to the USA. It appears that they have both paths covered now.

 

[cbear]

Just to be clear (I thought I was), I am being dropped off on the east side of the border crossing, so I am not having to cross the bridge. The taxi drop-off point that I reference in the original message IS the closest point to the exit that the taxis can take you. They can't drive any further north.

Oddly enough however, and I failed to mention this in the original post, one way around crossing the thieves (policia) path is to be dropped off at McDonalds on the west side of the border crossing and doing exactly what you suggest not to do - cross via the foot bridge! Why? Because the foot bridge exits just north (about 40 feet) of where the thieves (policia) hide. If you're quiet crossing & exiting the bridge they will never see you.

Before someone comments about the bridge, there are two bridges - one on the U.S. side and a smaller foot-bridge on the Mexican side.

HBEnrique

 

[Cat Lady]

HBEnrique,
Yeah, there was a thread dedicated to TJ cops as scumbags for some time, but it hasn't been active for about 5 weeks. Hiding anything in shoes doesn't help as the cops looked inside mine when they frisked me. The best advice I've seen is to leave as much as you can in the US and take only what you need. Bringing a cell phone would not be something I would want to bring to TJ.

As for the cash, I've read the great recommendation to hold all of your cash in your hands when being frisked by the cops. That way they cannot steal it without being obvious. If they do, make it obvious you are getting their badge number to report them. Only I don't recommend doing so in an isolated setting. It is best to have witnesses.

In any case, always have the cab drop you off as close to the entrance to the border crossing as possible. Don't let them drop you off so that you have to cross the bridge to the other side of the highway. Make the taxi drive you to the other side.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Just an FYI for those of you who frequent Zona Roja. I assume you're all familiar with the taxi drop-off spot when leaving TJ and the Policia who appear to be a fixture there. Although I have walked past them at least 50x without a problem, things have changed within the last few weeks and now those who serve & protect are aggressively serving their own interest and protecting their financial future by shaking down gringos immediately after walking away from the cab.

Their approach seems to be the same, they wait until all cab activity ceases and then they shake down the occupants of the next cab to arrive. As you leave the cab and begin walking north they will approach from your left (from underneath the foot-bridge) with flashlights shinning and calling out "I.D., I.D." At this point you will be asked a few pointless questions intended to make their corrupt shakedown look legit, you will then be told to assume the position, frisked, and all your possessions are taken from your pockets. After a few more pointless questions ALMOST all of your possessions are returned and you are free to go. Thanks for visiting Mexico!

I have been bit twice now within the span of two weeks. When my possessions were returned the first time I seemed to be missing $65, the second time I was missing $80. My buddy on the first shakedown was less $160(!) and the second shakedown cost another friend his new Motorola Razor cell phone.

So, what have we learned? Certainly not that many TJ "police" are corrupt thieves, we already know that. Our lesson today is that you either leave TJ with minimal cash, or if that's not possible hide what you have in your shoes or underwear. Corruption in TJ is a fact of life and this is simply the latest scam that targets the blood that gives TJ life, tourism (talk about shooting yourself in the foot). If you're bothered by this then I would strongly suggest crossing TJ off your destination list, if you're not at least be aware and protect yourself.

Thank you. I must now go and kiss the U.S. flag.

HBEnrique