Cancun Police Harassment

After watching the movie 'Traffick' last night ..... you couldn't pay me to travel to Mexico .... that movie was made over 11 years ago and drug trafficking, gangs and violence are worse than ever now in that country. There's no way I'd trust the police in any part of Mexico as I believe they're being bought out by the traffickers and gangs ..... money speaks volumes in that country.

Please take the previous posting very seriously! We live in a border state and have many friends and family members living right on the border (a few blocks away). Last year, our neighbor was robbed by a taxi driver driving them from the Cancun airport to their lovely hotel. The last time we crossed the border was about 15 years ago. While visiting family living right on the border, our daughter and her friend wanted to buy Mexican Disney comic books to take back to their friends. When we started shopping we realized that a Federale (Mexican policeman, about 18 years old and armed with a rifle) was following us into the store. That's when it hit me that we had no way to legally protect the two 16 year old girls. He could literally take them away from us for no reason and we could do nothing! I stepped back and gave him a smile, he grinned back and turned around and left. We immediately left the store and drove back across the border and have never returned! You have no legal rights in Mexico, you can be arrested for no reason and there is no way to protect yourself or your family legally! The drug lords and the Mexican police and military are literally at war and you truly don't want to be caught in the middle! The average Mexican is a good person but it can take only one moment to totally destroy your life! If you must travel to Mexico, even for a vacation, please be very careful! Our family will never return and will travel to other places where we are much safer and have legal rights to protect ourselves!

We have traveled with young children four times to the Cancun/ Riveria Maya area. We always rent a car for the freedom it allows us. We continue to go because the majority of the people are very helpful and kind. We have had to seek medical attention and have been well taken care of. On one occasion we were pulled over for speeding. Our choice was to pay the police officer on the spot or spend a day of our vacation at the police station. We payed the fine in cash to the police officer on the spot by the side of the road. We may have been over the speed limit a little, I don't even remember. No it isn't the USA. That only happened to us once in all of our travels in Mexico. Maybe we have been lucky but we are adventurous and want to explore the world and all it has to offer.

My wife and I were robbed by the Cancun police Saturday, April 2nd. We were in Cancun after a nice vacation at the Mayan Palace and were stopped by two motorcycle policemen. I was accused of speeding, which I was not, because I was aware of this sort of thing happening. Two officers, neither wearing badges or nameplates( I don't know if either is a part of the uniform, but if I were strongarming tourists, I'd remove my ID's also) but in full uniform took my license and demanded 1000 pesos to get it back. I would not give it to him. I admit that I was intimidated. I wanted to ask him for his ID but I imagined what other charges these officers could drum up, like offering a bribe to a policeman or resisting arrest. With both as witnesses against me would I have a case with only my wife as a witness on my behalf? And the fact that I had only hours to fill my car, return it to the rental company and catch my plane that afternoon I didn't have time to waste. In the tradition of Mexico we bargained and for $30 I got my license back and left. But what a terrible feeling I have after this experience. I have two timeshares in Mexico and I am considering never returning. I tried to contact the Cancun chamber of commerce but found only tourist information but no site for comments or input. That is why I'm venting here. If they seriously wanted to stop this practice, using decoys would be simple. Videotape these bandits. Catch them in the act and prosecute them. Now I feel that if I sent my family or friends there I would be afraid for them. Two men with guns demanding money and they have police authority as well? I'm kind of susprised that they didn't just say "Give us all of your money."Many acquaintances questioned my sanity for going to Mexico because of the violence. I'm no longer sure that the police aren't a major part of the problem. I've been going to Mexico since 1968. I've driven from the U.S.A. through Nuevo Loredo to Monterrey, Torreon, Maztlan, Mexico City and Acapulco and this is the first time that I've had this happen. Yes, I've been very lucky you are probably saying, but there should be pressure applied from those of us who are investors in these resorts. They must be made to see that it is in their best interest to put a halt to this form of armed robbery. Que lastima.

Was in Cancun last week & got pulled over 2 times & they wanted $$ . 1st time we settled on $30 from $75 & 2nd time I wouldnt give in & decided to take out my camera & the Police lady got upset & reached into my rental car & tried to take camera phone from me. I pulled away & she just said go on & she pulled away in a hurry. This is a big problem there & a week prior these women cops got $170 from other tourists staying at our resort. And they wonder why tourism is down??