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Cancun Police Harassment (by Jay C.):

The police in Mexico are crooked no matter where you are.

Our story from Cancun on 1/17/08: We were pulled over in the resort area and blocked in by two police cars for speeding which I denied. Then, I was told the fine was for not wearing a seat belt. By this time he had my license. Cost me $45 USD or I "could appear at the police station" on Monday (this was Saturday) to pay my fine. Yeah right, when my plane out was in 3 hours. I paid the bribe; but got his name.

I reported this to the consulate in Cancun when I returned to the civilized world on Monday. I gave them the details and the "officer's" name. Then, I was asked whether I had the license plate number of the vehicle. Of course, I didn't.

Here are my suggestions: 1. yes, it is now a law requiring seat belts but only the driver not the passenger (per the consulate), 2. normally this is a warning offense not deserving of a ticket (per the consulate); 3. take pictures of everything--the police and their vehicle(s) (per the consulate); 4. NEVER give them your license (give them a back & front photocopy) and if they give you a hard time tell them the original is in the hotel safe and they need to follow you there (a good suggestion from a fellow traveler); 5. don't argue but be firm and polite--hey ask them about their family and all other BS you can think of (my suggestion); and 6. put the telephone numbers of the US embassy in Mexico City and all US consulates in Mexico on your cell and start calling the minute the police walks up to your car (my suggestion).

They will never do this to me again.