I haven't been pulled over into secondary for over 20 years. They made up for it today! A half hour! He ask me if there was anything I would like to declare before they searched the Jeep. He was very surly. I had cigarettes of course but didn't know they changed the limit from 3 to one carton. I thought I was going to jail for cigarettes! They took the Jeep completely apart and didn't put anything back correctly. It took us 5 minutes just to fix it so we could drive. They put us in that little room where you can't watch. They went thru our purses and he even opened my camera case to make sure it was a camera! I was freakin' amazed at how long it took. He let me keep the cigarettes because he said it would take too long with the paperwork to confiscate them. I'm just glad he didn't find my Leatherman........
We got 8 secondary last year. It got to the point I would call it my potty stop. They would let us use a cell bathroom. I think they dont like us state retirees .
When they took us in for secondary they put my son and me on the bench that has handcuffs attached to it. I asked if I could cuff my son to the bench and get a picture for mom. They didn't like my idea very much and just remained surly. I had picked a bag of tangelos off my tree for the trip down and one tangelo had rolled out of the bag and was under the seat. I thought I was in for a fine from the way they treated me for trying to smuggle a single tangelo. Not one word was said about the case of Ballena's in the bed of my truck.
That's what I always use but it says Ballena's are Whales or something to do with Whales.
so I was little confused how he had a case of Whales in the bed of his truck.
On the subject of getting stopped for citrus and not booze, same crap happened to me. They asked if I had and fruits or veggies.
I told them I had a few limes that I had brought with me from AZ. Then had me find them and took them. During the process, the found my two extra bottles of Tequila and said nothing about them.
Well, just don't bring cigs, LOL! The booze always makes it thru but not 2 apples, tangelos or limes......LOL! As far as google translate, sometimes they put in the slang. I guess this time they did not....
Secondary... don't get me started. Been awhile since I've had to, but EVERY TIME I cross with the boat, I can count on it. It's one of the few places in America you are absolutely guilty until proven innocent. The guys in secondary must be "how to win friends and influence people" rejects. Absolutely no people skills whatsoever. I've seen rabid hyenas with more personality.
I had one guy go completely off on me because of an emergency air horn I had in my boat safety box. He swore I was trying to smuggle Freon. I asked him WTF he was talking about? Can't you see that it is CLEARLY marked as a safety device?
The ham sandwiches thrown in the trash... even an unopened pack of salami... those people are absolutely ridiculous, hate their jobs, and get off by taking it out on the general public. It's a shame. Welcome to the New America where you the people have no rights whatsoever. The people your tax dollars pay for no longer serve you -- you serve them. And you better sit down, shut up, and do as you're damn well told.
I had kind of a different experience than you.
I had stopped at the Ueta store on the way down bought some beer and 4 cartons of cigarettes for the neighbor.
Threw everything in the trunk, still in the bags, and headed down. Never had the need to use the beer while down in RP
so when we headed back for home with it all still in the trunk. Once we get to the border the guard tells me to pop my trunk
so I do, he hands me my passports and sends me over to secondary. once there the officers look in our trunk see what we have and tell us if
we have our receipt we can return the overage. So we do the "walk of shame" across the street and return beer and cigarettes then come back
and they say have a good day and we were gone. Never looked at anything else in the car. Both guys seemed pretty friendly
about the situation.
Got a Secondary early Easter Sunday morning. Pretty brusque but not aggravatingly rude. I commented to friends traveling with us it was a lot more pleasant not that many years ago.
We came through today heading to Playa Encanto around 1:00 and there was no one on the US side to ask if we had over $ 10,000.00 cash or any guns or weapons of mass destruction. FYI, we were asked that once. Drove right through and got the green light too!
We came through today heading to Playa Encanto around 1:00 and there was no one on the US side to ask if we had over $ 10,000.00 cash or any guns or weapons of mass destruction. FYI, we were asked that once. Drove right through and got the green light too!
That's what I always use but it says Ballena's are Whales or something to do with Whales.
so I was little confused how he had a case of Whales in the bed of his truck.
On the subject of getting stopped for citrus and not booze, same crap happened to me. They asked if I had and fruits or veggies.
I told them I had a few limes that I had brought with me from AZ. Then had me find them and took them. During the process, the found my two extra bottles of Tequila and said nothing about them.
I had just bought 6 quarts of Pacifico which came in their own case together. I was supposed to split up my purchase with some friends so we could be legal when crossing but I could not find any friends to help so I just put the case in the middle of the bed of my truck.
Pacifco calls their quarts a Ballena which means whale; not to be confused with the even larger 44oz Ballenon's which are now available
If you are over the limit on beer or liquor coming back can't you just pay the duty and go? I know they don't give that to you as an option they just confiscate the excess amount but it seems to me you should be able to pay the duty and keep it.
The alcohol limit is not a a Federal law. It's a Pima County law. That is what the Border Patrol told me when I was pulled into secondary for having more than a case of beer. In Texas you can cross with as much alcohol as you want. The food thing though, is a different story. And no, no opportunity to pay the duty and keep it.
Last time I came back from a cruise, us Texas residents were allowed 1 liter per person. Residents of other state could have 5 liters. But that was around 10 years ago.
If you are over the limit on beer or liquor coming back can't you just pay the duty and go? I know they don't give that to you as an option they just confiscate the excess amount but it seems to me you should be able to pay the duty and keep it.
mis2810 said:
The alcohol limit is not a a Federal law. It's a Pima County law. That is what the Border Patrol told me when I was pulled into secondary for having more than a case of beer. In Texas you can cross with as much alcohol as you want. The food thing though, is a different story. And no, no opportunity to pay the duty and keep it.
I don't think so, why would a border patrol be at secondary, unless guarding someone with ham or limes Ice agents, immigration and the ones looking for plants and veggies man the border, they all work for homeland security, for a while there the border patrol was manning the exit roadblocks to Mexico now it looks like the ice agents took over. They can fine you 400 per bottle that you are over the the limit.
If it's a Pima county law it would seem to be very discriminatory. Do they limit the amount of liquor you can buy in a store as well? I really don't see any distinction. In most cases the liquor I purchase in Mexico costs more than what I would pay for it at Costco or other places so it's not like I would be harming local merchants in any way. I'm surprised Pima County doesn't have road blocks set up at the county line to inspect vehicles to see how much liquor people have in vehicles. Just another overreach by a governmental agency.
I don't think so, why would a border patrol be at secondary, unless guarding someone with ham or limes Ice agents, immigration and the ones looking for plants and veggies man the border, they all work for homeland security, for a while there the border patrol was manning the exit roadblocks to Mexico now it looks like the ice agents took over. They can fine you 400 per bottle that you are over the the limit.
That is why I was lucky and was wrote up as being non compliant for having all my leftover liquor Oh OH what was wrong with me left over liquor!!!
If you are over the limit on beer or liquor coming back can't you just pay the duty and go? I know they don't give that to you as an option they just confiscate the excess amount but it seems to me you should be able to pay the duty and keep it.
Most everybody here has it wrong. At many border crossings, you CAN pay the duty on any excess liquor/tobacco products and go on your merry way. Lukeville (Arizona in general, if not mistaken) has no facility or authority to collect duties -- you get two options -- throw it away, or they let you go. Just depends on the mood of the ICE guy that day. They normally don't even bother if you are simply a bottle or two over limit. This came directly from a discussion with a Customs guy when I asked if I could simply pay duty on overage of any items.
If it's a Pima county law it would seem to be very discriminatory. Do they limit the amount of liquor you can buy in a store as well? I really don't see any distinction. In most cases the liquor I purchase in Mexico costs more than what I would pay for it at Costco or other places so it's not like I would be harming local merchants in any way. I'm surprised Pima County doesn't have road blocks set up at the county line to inspect vehicles to see how much liquor people have in vehicles. Just another overreach by a governmental agency.
I'm just repeating what they told me. I'm sure they make it up as they go along anyway.
Most everybody here has it wrong. At many border crossings, you CAN pay the duty on any excess liquor/tobacco products and go on your merry way. Lukeville (Arizona in general, if not mistaken) has no facility or authority to collect duties -- you get two options -- throw it away, or they let you go. Just depends on the mood of the ICE guy that day. They normally don't even bother if you are simply a bottle or two over limit. This came directly from a discussion with a Customs guy when I asked if I could simply pay duty on overage of any items.
the time I got stopped for limes, there were only two of us (legal drinkers) in the car. Between the beer in the cooler and the excess tequila... we were well over the limit. They never said a word. In fact, the old lady that confiscated the limes (had to have been at least 65) she could have cared less.....but she was just doing her job.
"But officer.....I was only hired to drive the RV back to the US. I had no idea it was stuffed full of pot"
What a bunch of idiots. We should find out where they live and beat the $H!T out of them.
"But officer.....I was only hired to drive the RV back to the US. I had no idea it was stuffed full of pot"
What a bunch of idiots. We should find out where they live and beat the $H!T out of them.
We were asked at interior checkpoint how much alcohol we brought back.
The interior checkpoints are in fact BORDER PATROL and they have absolutely NO AUTHORITY to enforce Customs regulations (other than illegal drugs). Once you're over the border, you could have an 18 wheeler semi-truck of booze and Border Patrol cannot do a damned thing about it. Know your rights, people. You don't have to be a jerk about it, but KNOW YOUR RIGHTS and refuse to be intimidated! It's perfectly legal to possess unopened alcohol in your vehicle and nothing spells out how much or how little you may have in your possession within the United States.
My kid wanted bring back fireworks once. He said "I can just put them in my pillow case and lay on it thru the boarder".
NO EFFING WAY!!!!!!!!!!! It would be the one time I get pulled for inspection and they find them.
He almost was gonna do it without saying anything :mad: Little Criminal. ;)
My kid wanted bring back fireworks once. He said "I can just put them in my pillow case and lay on it thru the boarder".
NO EFFING WAY!!!!!!!!!!! It would be the one time I get pulled for inspection and they find them.
He almost was gonna do it without saying anything :mad: Little Criminal. ;)
All these years and you told your kids no fire works and when you get home and for some reason your kids have fireworks and they say I don't know where they came from, I guess we all created a smuggler without intent the life cycle continues.
Yeah but just be perepared for 'The Hassle Factor" which can be as bad as an actual charge.
The "Hassle Factor" is real, which is why I said don't be a jerk about it. Being a jerk simply begets creating a jerk response. My typical response to "How much alcohol do you have?" by Border Patrol would be "An unopened bottle of tequila, which I declared at the border." End of story. Whether I had one, two or ten. Nothing they can do about it, it's simply a question they use to judge your reaction to see if you have anything to hide.
The last time through Mexicali I got sent to secondary in the Sentri lane because my dog didn't like the BP dog looking at him. After sitting in secondary for 20 minutes and officer approached me and asked if I needed immediate medical attention, which I replied am I going to need it? Then they said my plates didn't match my vehicle. 20 minutes later they came and searched my truck and sent me on my way. The time before that they brought us inside and then after a while told us that they had misplaced our passports. We were then feeling illegal. They found them and sent us on our way.
The last time through Mexicali I got sent to secondary in the Sentri lane because my dog didn't like the BP dog looking at him. After sitting in secondary for 20 minutes and officer approached me and asked if I needed immediate medical attention, which I replied am I going to need it? Then they said my plates didn't match my vehicle. 20 minutes later they came and searched my truck and sent me on my way. The time before that they brought us inside and then after a while told us that they had misplaced our passports. We were then feeling illegal. They found them and sent us on our way.
Keen listeros may recall me posting 18 months ago about my truck getting taken apart at the border after Circus Mexicus, CBP radioing Pima County Sheriff deputies about empty beer bottles in the back, and me consequently being arrested for violating Arizona's open container law. Be very diligent, people.
Keen listeros may recall me posting 18 months ago about my truck getting taken apart at the border after Circus Mexicus, CBP radioing Pima County Sheriff deputies about empty beer bottles in the back, and me consequently being arrested for violating Arizona's open container law. Be very diligent, people.
Keen listeros may recall me posting 18 months ago about my truck getting taken apart at the border after Circus Mexicus, CBP radioing Pima County Sheriff deputies about empty beer bottles in the back, and me consequently being arrested for violating Arizona's open container law. Be very diligent, people.
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I remember that. I think of it every time I bring back an empty case of Coronas. That they would be considered "open containers".
We are required by law in Seattle to recycle so it felt criminal tossing my bottles and cans in with all that trash!
im going to have to set up my own personal recycle center just to shut up the voice in my head (at least ONE of the voices). Do they pay for glass and tin down there? I saw a few people picking up cans... maybe I can find a school to turn it over too.
Kiss their Ass and you will go home faster. Be respectful, you just had a great time in Mexico. Don't spoil your great trip. Suck it up butter cup, you cannot fight the system, be smart. You can win!!
Kiss their Ass and you will go home faster. Be respectful, you just had a great time in Mexico. Don't spoil your great trip. Suck it up butter cup, you cannot fight the system, be smart. You can win!!
Doesn't that leave a bad taste in your mouth? HA HA HA
Not sure what you mean by "kiss their ass" hill boy. You missed the point. (Boy did you ever.) I am in the habit of recycling so it is no extra effort to keep a little waste out of land fill. And I was not asking nor needing any advice from you on how to 'interact' with the natives. I was just making a fun point that I will have bags of glass and tin every month that may be financially beneficial for someone or some organization in need. (Forgive me when I forget so many people have no sense of humor or just plane sense.) I have yet to see a school that could not use a few extra bucks a month. I have no desire to 'fight the system' but I also do not need to contribute negatively. If there is a place that people turn in cans and glass for money I would like to know, since people were picking them up on the side of the road, I asked if there is such a place there.
Does anyone actually have any REAL input to this question?
Kiss their Ass and you will go home faster. Be respectful, you just had a great time in Mexico. Don't spoil your great trip. Suck it up butter cup, you cannot fight the system, be smart. You can win!!
Completely agree. I don't feel like I'm kissing their ass, just being respectful. They have a tough job & I appreciate their efforts.
REAL input - yes, many of the locals recycle, but I personally don't know where they cash in the cans. Russ or another local may know where the the recycling centers are.
The issue with the bottles (Corona, Pacifico, etc.) is a bit different. When you buy a case of bottles at the beer distributor, you pay a deposit on them. Bring back the case of empties and you pay no deposit on the next case. I used to always have a case of empties in the back of my truck (in the old days). When Pacifico became available in cans, that's all I buy now. I hated dealing with glass bottles on the boat while fishing. Cans are so much easier and I give the empties to the guys at the marina to recycle.
Note that, not all bottles are deposit bottles. If you buy a 12 pack of Indio or Modelo at Bodega (WalMart), those are throwaways, not deposit bottles -- the beer distributor will not accept those. Mexico is quickly moving in the same direction as the US to becoming a throwaway society. I doubt the throwaway bottles are worth anything at the recycling center. Only the aluminum cans.
Completely agree. I don't feel like I'm kissing their ass, just being respectful. They have a tough job & I appreciate their efforts.
Agreed. It sucks standing out there for hours in the summer heat. No wonder they get so damned grumpy. Still, they are getting paid to do a job and there is no need to be a jerk about it. Us or them. 90% of my experiences with ICE or BP are positive. It's that 10% that are totally off-the-hook that make you go WTF?
REAL input - yes, many of the locals recycle, but I personally don't know where they cash in the cans. Russ or another local may know where the the recycling centers are.
The issue with the bottles (Corona, Pacifico, etc.) is a bit different. When you buy a case of bottles at the beer distributor, you pay a deposit on them. Bring back the case of empties and you pay no deposit on the next case. I used to always have a case of empties in the back of my truck (in the old days). When Pacifico became available in cans, that's all I buy now. I hated dealing with glass bottles on the boat while fishing. Cans are so much easier and I give the empties to the guys at the marina to recycle.
Note that, not all bottles are deposit bottles. If you buy a 12 pack of Indio or Modelo at Bodega (WalMart), those are throwaways, not deposit bottles -- the beer distributor will not accept those. Mexico is quickly moving in the same direction as the US to becoming a throwaway society. I doubt the throwaway bottles are worth anything at the recycling center. Only the aluminum cans.
Thank you Stuart! Thats exactly what I need to know. The person I saw picking up cans actually looked like he was homeless compared to the crews I saw so thats why the question popped up in my mind. I have a lot of respect for ANYONE who can work all day in the sun.
Thank you Stuart! Thats exactly what I need to know. The person I saw picking up cans actually looked like he was homeless compared to the crews I saw so thats why the question popped up in my mind. I have a lot of respect for ANYONE who can work all day in the sun.
So, artisticdiva, there is a recycling center off of Josefa, although I don't know specifically what they do or do not take. Las Conchas has set up a "recycling center" just
before the entrance for cardboard, cans, batteries, plastics. They do not accept glass because they say there is no facility in town set up for glass at this time.
Well there are places all over town that purchase recyclable stuff, copper, aluminum, steel. They accept beer cans, man hole covers, AC parts from vandalized homes, copper wired pulled out of homes, stuff like that. A guy came down the stret and stole all of the steel trash barrels a few years back. Funny thing was he had them in an open trailer and they were banging all over the place, huge racket.
Not sure what you mean by "kiss their ass" hill boy. You missed the point. (Boy did you ever.) I am in the habit of recycling so it is no extra effort to keep a little waste out of land fill. And I was not asking nor needing any advice from you on how to 'interact' with the natives. I was just making a fun point that I will have bags of glass and tin every month that may be financially beneficial for someone or some organization in need. (Forgive me when I forget so many people have no sense of humor or just plane sense.) I have yet to see a school that could not use a few extra bucks a month. I have no desire to 'fight the system' but I also do not need to contribute negatively. If there is a place that people turn in cans and glass for money I would like to know, since people were picking them up on the side of the road, I asked if there is such a place there.
Does anyone actually have any REAL input to this question?
OK, so, it started with cans and bottles in the back of the truck at the border. I did not mean kiss their butt literatly. What I meant was, I will do what I need to do to avoid a hassle going home. Sorry if you took it the wrong way, end of story. We always save our cans to give to the locals to recycle.
OK, so, it stit to rted with cans and bottles in the back of the truck at the border. I did not mean kiss their butt literatly. What I meant was, I will do what I need to do to avoid a hassle going home. Sorry if you took it the wrong way, end of story. We always save our cans to give to the locals to recycle.
Point taken hill boy. Thats what I would like to do, give it to the locals. I agree hassle free is the way to be. I imagine my husband and I raising a whole lotta eyebrows if we tried to bring our empty booze bottles back over the border to take to AZ to recycle! :-0
The ACLU has demanded a federal probe into the operations at U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints in Arizona. Among the alleged abuses cited in the complaint were extended interrogation and detention unrelated to determining a person's immigration status, unwarranted searches, racial profiling, verbal harassment and physical assault.
Point taken hill boy. Thats what I would like to do, give it to the locals. I agree hassle free is the way to be. I imagine my husband and I raising a whole lotta eyebrows if we tried to bring our empty booze bottles back over the border to take to AZ to recycle! :-0
Thank you. We are located in La Cholla and we are lucky that their is one guy that comes by our house and pick up the cans we save for him. Years ago they had a deposit on soda bottles as well but they stopped that what a shame.
The Border Patrol's actions don't seem much different from Sheriff Joe in Maricopa County. If he was held accountable so should they.
Accountable? HAHAHAHAHA!!!
You're forgetting - It's all in the name of Homeland Security! The Mother Country must be protected at all costs! You have no rights, all of you miserable peons... you all serve the Mother Country!!!
I feel the same way about Thousands Standing Around (TSA). Don't even get me started about some of those jackholes.
Damn, I'm getting grumpy in my old age! :confused:
You're forgetting - It's all in the name of Homeland Security! The Mother Country must be protected at all costs! You have no rights, all of you miserable peons... you all serve the Mother Country!!!
I feel the same way about Thousands Standing Around (TSA). Don't even get me started about some of those jackholes.
Damn, I'm getting grumpy in my old age! :confused:
It is OK after all these years we earned the right to be grumpy! But wait did they take away those rights?
I record with digital video camera all my interactions with any officials, in mexico or USA. I have a hidden camera inside my car, I press a button and records me and the window, this is to have my own evidence in case officials cross the line because their word is the law.
Internal border patrol checkpoints I openly records and refuse to answer any questions, they have no authority and so far no problems.
I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't bring food so I have no problems with secondary.
I record with digital video camera all my interactions with any officials, in mexico or USA. I have a hidden camera inside my car, I press a button and records me and the window, this is to have my own evidence in case officials cross the line because their word is the law.
Internal border patrol checkpoints I openly records and refuse to answer any questions, they have no authority and so far no problems.
I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't bring food so I have no problems with secondary.
Pretty funny stuff but you can be sure their vehicle information was entered in the computer. Not worth the hassle factor. File a law suit, get the laws clarified.
Right or wrong those CBP officers are doing a job they've been trained for. Because of their efforts our country is a safer place. I choose to understand their tactics and put up with them for our security.
Well I submitted the video because the dialog was entertaining. What, why, how and where checkpoints are conducted is a can I will not open, but a good guess is that harassing officers is not the way to change things in your favor. Personally, I smile, cooperate and move on.
The interior checkpoints are in fact BORDER PATROL and they have absolutely NO AUTHORITY to enforce Customs regulations (other than illegal drugs). Once you're over the border, you could have an 18 wheeler semi-truck of booze and Border Patrol cannot do a damned thing about it. Know your rights, people. You don't have to be a jerk about it, but KNOW YOUR RIGHTS and refuse to be intimidated! It's perfectly legal to possess unopened alcohol in your vehicle and nothing spells out how much or how little you may have in your possession within the United States.
Exactly, well said Stuart and thank you for making others aware of this who may not have been. I haven't heard of Border Patrol enforcing Customs regulations before, but given the way things have been with ICE it certainly would not surprise me.
50 years of coming back across the border I still remain respectful whether I like it or not. Smile will get you back faster and not put you on their list for the next time. Oh! and by the way I spent 4 hr in a Mex. Jail, I was 21 years old when this happened scared the shit out of me.
