Stopped by TJ police car, this time I fight

[Muninn]

Burt wrote:

Here is an attorney answering some guy like Burt trying to give the BP a hard time for just doing their job. The BP simply asked the guy what's in the box in back of his truck, and the guy gets an attitude and asked the BP agent what's your probable cause. Then in the end the guy gets all high and mighty saying he does respect authority, but he hates abuse of authority. does this sound like anybody we know?

The Attorney then tells the guy named Maddog You are correct to question, but wrong not to cooperate.

HERE READ THE WHOLE THING:

Maddog( a guy like Burt)



HERE IS THE RESPONSE FROM THE ATTORNEY

 

[Pompal 09.]

To each their own. I have nothing to hide, but won't permit a warentless serach. I value my civil rights and stand up for them--on both sides of the border.

ICE does not need a warrant to search your car while you are crossing the border. They do elsewhere. I posted about an incident where I was stopped by a border patrol a few miles from the border. They wanted to search my car (it's a full size vehicle) but I refused. Just like in Mexico, the border patrol tried to intimidate me into allowing them to search the car. When the realilzed I wasn't going to back down they let me go without searching the car. Final Score: Border Patrol 0, Civil Liberties 1.

 

[misskelleygirl]

The cops can't arrest you for driving without insurance. Mexican law doesn't require a driver to have insurance.

However, if you are involved in an accident in which it was determined you are at fault you can be held until you post a financial bond. If you have insurance from a company licensed by the Mexican gov't you've already proved financial responsibility and so can't be put in jail.

Do you remember the David Kraft incident in the early 1990s? He was seriously hurt in an auto accident. (An inspector is called who makes an on the spot determination of who is at fault.) He had US insurance, but not Mexican insurance. The other driver was a Mexican bureaucrat who knew—and enforced—his legal rights. David Kraft was held in a hospital for three days until the family posted a $10,000.00 bond. Kraft was then life-flighted to a San Diego hospital, where he died soon thereafter.

--------------


Sadly, this is common in the Zona Norte. It’s why some guys won’t drive to Tijuana.

I avoid parking in the Zona. There are several parking lots near South Revolucion that I use. (The obvious downside is the walk to and from the ZN.) I then take 10th Street over the bridge, turn left on Padre Kino, and cross the border. Those few blocks make a lot of difference; I rarely see a cop using this route.

 

[lina]

Its been said before...and I cannot stress enough-TAKE TAXIS or Buses- and leave your car stateside...

 

[Stacey P]

Well Done!

 

[scheccid2]

Burt wrote:

Really? So they can/t search your car, and I guess they can't search you either in person, yet they do it all the time with impunity.

I would advice everybody if you have nothing to hide let the US cops, Mexican cops, and border patrol, search your car. I believe all of them could with probably cause, and the border patrol doesn't need a reason if its by the border or a set check point?

I think if you want to be a 'hard ass' and refuse TJ cops requests, that's up to you, but you may be setting yourself up for a world of hurt? It's your ass, proceed accordingly.

 

[Danielle A]

Burt, thanks for the info.
Are you saying that I would still get in trouble carrying US insurance that covers up to 70 miles from the border just because it's not Mexican insurance ?
The thing is that these cops especially in ZN are only interested in taking money from mongers. They will not take you to court if you have not committed serious crimes. It's also waste of their time with no monetary reward. If you stand firm they would rather let you go and look for easier prey. One saturday night around 3 AM(so it would be Sunday morning), I was standing at a taco stand next to CC eating hotdogs and also observing the street scenes. The police cars were everywhere stopping any car with US license. It was like a group of sharks feasting on preys on discovery channel. Beyond rediculous... I also thought about writing a letter to the mayor of TJ or police chief or something. I know it's like throwing a rock in the ocean but I feel we can't let those bastards have fun intimidating us for money.

 

[Beetle-[Mania]]

I agree. And it works for me.

 

[Hi!]

MikeDude...Well done! It warms my heart to see mongers standing up to corrupt cops.

----------

Regarding medication, auto searchs, and insurance:

When you cross into Tijuana by foot at the San Ysidro point of entry there is a sign in Spanish that lists what you can bring with you. Personal medication is on the list. If your medication was dispensed in the the U.S. and is still in the bottle with the pharmacy label you're in compliance with Mexican law. (Or at least that's my understanding of the law.)

Lik Amigiomio, I suggest you not not carry Viagra, etc. you purchase in Mexico unless you have a Mexican Rx. Taking it in the pharmacy will save you from having problem with the cops.

If the cops want to search your car--especially your trunk--ask for their orden de cateo (search warrant). I may be wrong, but it's my understanding that they need a search warrant to search your car. At the very least requesting an orden de cateo will tell them you're somebody who won't be easily intimidated.

Mexican law does not require you to have auto insurance. You can't be arrested/get a ticket for not having insurance. However, if you are involved in an auto accident you can be held in jail until you provide evidence of financial responsibility. (You have to post a big bond.) Mexican law does not recognize U.S. insurance. A U.S. policy can cover damage or theft to your car. Even if it provides coverage to people/property you damage it won’t keep you out of jail if you’re in an accident because it’s from a company that isn’t licensed in Mexico. (You can get Mexican insurance for about $175.00 per year. It’s worth it.)

 

[shopaholic95]

Well done Mike... congrats and a 5 minute applause for you.

By the way, for those that don't know, the medicine parte includes Viagra and Cialis.
So if you are carring it, use it, don't keep it in your pocket!

 

[bunky]

Amen!


Good to see a man with balls & character fighting injustices!!!!


.....this is how this country was founded!
(we said F U to the british)

 

[Greek God AKA Greekman]

I was in TJ this past Friday night. As uaual I parked my car and got a room at Leyva. This hotel is not Ritz Carlton but it's cheap and conveniently located right next to CC. I get a room because I like to take a little nap and relax from a two hour drive from the states before I start my TJ mission. Now, don't give me that "why are you driving in TJ, it's dangerous" crap because it's perfectly okay and safe as long as you know your way around in TJ and you have insurance which I have both. Anyways, I did my normal routines: got my shoes shined, got some great tacos, got great massage at Aztec that re-aligns your bones to the day you were born and did some SG's and stuff. It was around 3 AM now so I thought it was about time to head for the border. I normally pick this time to cross the border because the wait time is about 10 minutes at this time on Saturday morning. Plus at this hour, the TJ cops don't patrol the streets as much as like 1 AM when many mongers drive for the border. As I was driving out of the hotel, I didn't see any patrol cars around. I drove straight and then made a right turn to get on the highway. Then I saw red lights flashing in my rear view mirror... shit I said. It is a small pickup truck style police car that I see a lot these days. I pulled up my car and then two guys approached my car with one guy on each side. Then followed usual cop routine of asking for my driver's license and registration. He then asks me to step out of the car while one guy was searching my car with flashlight. Here is the conversation that went on.

Cop: what are you doing in mexico ?
Me: Well I come here for tacos and I come here every week. I stay at Leyva hotel. ( this is to tell him that I am not a newbie here and I know some stuff so don't take me lightly)
Cop: Did you drink tonight ?
Me: No sir. Not a drop. (which is true because I don't drink at all while in TJ because I drive)
Cop: (looking at my insurance card) This is not a mexican insurance.
Me: No it's US insurance but it covers up to 70 miles from the border. (which is really true)
Cop: No, you need to buy insurance from the US side to come here.
Me: No it covers TJ. (grabbing my cellphone) Do you want me to call the compnay ?
At this time, the other guy finds a medicine bottle from inside my car. Shit, he holds a medicine bottle I had bought many months ago. I didn't even know I had that bottle in the car.
Cop: okay, this one needs prescription. Let me see the prescription.
Me: Sir, I bought it 5 month ago. Who carries prescription for 5 month ? Look inside the bottle, it's almost empty.
Cop: I don't care. You need prescription for this. Show me.
Me: I don't have it. I mean I don't carry it for 5 month.
Cop: Then you go to jail.
Me: Sir, I know mexican law. You can't put me in jail before I see the judge. I know they are present 24 hours a day.
Cop: (a little surprised that I was saying this) hmm... The judge is at the jail. You need to go there first.
Me: Okay, then I will go there and pay the fine.
Cop: You drive and we will follow you.
Me: Okay then. ( walking back to my car and putting the seatbelt on)
As soon as I started my engine, the cops gesture me toward their car.
Cop: I want to help you little bit. You can pay the fine here.
Me: No, I will pay the fine at the court.
(At this time, these guys realized that I am not an easy target)
Cop: Okay, this time I will give you a warning. ( they drive away after handing me back my driver's license and insurance card)

This whole thing took no more than 20 minutes. I wan't drunk, didn't have any drugs and didn't break any laws. I was willing to pay the fine at the court for not having prescription. I would rather pay hundreds of dollars(if that's the real fine) at the court than paying these asshole cops. No sane judge would put a person behind bar for not having prescription for drug that is not a control substance like cocain, heroin, etc. The whole time, I was firm but courteous by calling them Sir. These TJ cops ARE the real criminals that harrass visitors from north. If you have not done anything wrong, FIGHT BACK.