Mexico - beware airport security corruption

[Baysider]

Corruption is alive and well in Mexico. Checked in to depart from Puerto Vallarta and arrived at security with five 50 ml assorted Tequila mini's in a snap lock bag in my carry on. "Sir, we can't let you take these, the alcohol content is too high" (they're marked from 25-40%). A heated debate followed. "Can I see the document that says I can't carry these?". "No sir, that is only for us to see". Eventually I give up and lose my Tequila. However my 80 ml aftershave with a higher alcohol content is fine !! Then literally 10m past security there is a duty free store with the same Tequila mini's, but at $7 each rather than the $2 each I paid in town in Puerto Vallarta. Guess the security personnel get kickbacks from the duty free stores !!

The moral: pack any alcohol in checked luggage when departing Mexico.

 

[Fantic125]

I gather this was your first trip to Mexico?

 

[mannej]

Must be a slow Friday but I read the whole post with a Mexican accent somehow!

 

[markis10]

Must be a slow Friday but I read the whole post with a Mexican accent somehow!

Same here but also imagining men with mustaches and ponchos.

 

[Fantic125]

Or the Mariachi bands that go from bar to bar and hit you up for each song......

 

[mella2007]

Sorry to the OP...but can't stop laughing with the above comments!!!

I think when alcohol is involved many countries like to be corrupt when it suits them. I lost a lovely bottle of Limited Edition Bombay Sapphire at MXP in similar circumstances.

 

[Neeraj]

Funny..i actually pictured those mice from looney tunes!!! Eh seniore!

Ahem ahem...sorry OP.

*compose yourself*

 

[Baysider]

Sorry to the OP...but can't stop laughing with the above comments!!!

Not offended, glad to have stimulated some mirth

 

[markis10]

On a serious note corruption is a factor in travel all too frequently, I had a booking cancelled at CGK because I checked in without any extra folding stuff in my passport.

 

[Fantic125]

When I first started going to Tijuana for work a cabron (good mate) there told me to not trust anyone in a position of authority within the public service, particulary the local police and security.

His words, "Amigo, it is not like Australia. The police are not your friends."

 

[UP4014]

Wonder if the security staff had a party to go to that night.

 

[jetlagger]

I got strip searched coming back into the US on the border at Mexicali once back in my younger days. It was somehow not so enlightening after a big night on the Tequila & we managed to somehow be spared from the wraths of Authority. :shock:

 

[JohnK]

The moral: pack any alcohol in checked luggage when departing Mexico.

I tend to do that these days especially on trips to Thailand. Buy duty free on arrival into Thailand and bring it back in checked luggage.

One time I made an error in Greece though. My dad and I just went through the USA and got to Greece where we stayed in Athens for 3 days before departing for Thessaloniki. We were flying Aegean and I was worried about baggage limits so took the 2 bottles of scotch out of checked luggage and put them into carry-on forgetting that European domestic is not the same as Australian domestic.

Got to security and the person told me that I cannot go through with the 2 bottles. Went back to check-in where it was too late. Going back through security and I took a risk this time and said nothing. Bag got scanned, pulled aside and searched. I was told could not take liquids through and a conversation had started. The guy at security realised we were visiting relatives and asked if they were presents and let me take them with me.

So much for safety!