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darcy's grandpa

Jul 26, 2010, 7:59 PM

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columbia bridge to manzanillo

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just a heads up for anyone using the columbia bridge entry point to mexico. we crossed in mid june and hooked up with another couple that was in line with us. we were the only cars crossing at that time. (around 0930). the paper work was smooth and easy and the car sticker was no problem. we were in and out in less than 30 minutes.

the two car convoy left the entry area and within 3 miles were pulled over by two motorcycle police. (this was 30 seconds after a mexican car passed us like we were standing still.) their badges were nl numbers but i didn't write them down. one was older and one was a kid. they were polite, but the older cop showed us his radar gun was 89 km/hr. this was a joke as we were not near that speed. he said we were in a 60 zone. there was no 60 zone sign. we were slightly less than 80 in an 80 zone according to my speedometer.

in any case, after 20 minutes of discussion and a lecture that km/hr was different than mph, we forked over 40 usd and they let us go. the other couple were texas residents, but hispanic and fluent in spanish. at a rest stop on the cuota to monterrey, we exchanged notes and both of us agree that someone at the columbia bridge alerted these two cops that a couple of turkeys were coming down the road. we are pretty certain that this is a set up scam.

if you use the columbia bridge be alert for this pair of cops. they will know that you are coming.

the rest of the trip to manzanillo and back through matamoros was totally uneventful. several military checkpoints that were no problem and a couple of radar traps in colima, but they were legitmate.

Scottm

Jul 27, 2010, 7:21 PM

Post #2 of 4 (3381 views)

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Re: [darcy's grandpa] columbia bridge to manzanillo

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Yes, we've met those scammers on 2 occasions. Best to avoid that crossing, and simply go through Laredo when (if?)
it gets cleaned up from the flooding and gun battles.

careyeroslib

Jul 28, 2010, 3:15 PM

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Re: [Scottm] columbia bridge to manzanillo

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Sorry I can't find the link, but I posted our experience and the location of our scam (google earth) on the two Vallarta forums. It was in April 2009. We were hit up heading to the Columbia border early on a Sunday morning. We were just coming out of the Pemex Station (with the OXXO ?. Anyway, a convenience store--the closest to the bridge), on Route 2, heading for the bridge and we were stopped. We were barely going 40 km/h, as we had just pulled out.

Our experience was with one sleazy-looking middle-aged guy (a transito) with a big beer gut. What kind've scared me was that there were at least 3 other transito cars waiting in the wings, just around there, seemed to be as backup. Another was dealing with a "victim". I should add, we had crossed previously at Columbia several times without incident. Also, in the Vallarta area, if we are not speeding, we argue our case and win (because we don't mind paying a ticket if one is owed so, when they see that, they usually don't give us one). But, this time, in April 2009, our instinct said "let's get out of here" (I didn't like the fact it was a group of them working together) so we gave him 500 pesos and he let us go "Que le vaya bien" (yeah right).

Since them we have a newGarmin GPS that shows your exact speed at every point on your trip (our old one didn't). We also have a spy camera :) But still, with all that, we will not cross at Columbia again unless circumstances change. I much prefer crossing in an urban area such as Laredo. We also crossed happily at Reynosa, but, well, there's lonely stretches of Highway there too.

Altahabana

Jul 29, 2010, 5:03 AM

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Re: [Scottm] columbia bridge to manzanillo

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There are more significant risks traveling Highway 2 between Columbia bridge and Highway 85D--the toll road to Monterrey-- than cops shaking down gringos in transit.