Cartagena Reports

[QUOTE=UrbanWildlife]Last night after LDV closed the police were stopping every car that was passing by and searching the vehicle and patting down the occupants looking for drugs, e.c.t. They were also harrassing the girls that were hanging out at the bottom of the stairs. My suggestion is if you want to enjoy party treats, enjoy them in the comfort of your apartment/hotel, and do not have them in your possession.[/QUOTE]If people are using drugs, I don't want to be anywhere near them. They are serious business in Colombia. Any credability you had for any investment just went out the window when you mention drugs.

David

[QUOTE=Aussie Mate]That happens on a regular basis throughout Cartagena. I'm not sure what the purpose is? Looking for the FARC or just trying to exploit money from tourists.

The area you are speaking of is the guard/police shack about 1 block outside of LDV where the road splits in the direction of the Hilton. They randomly choose which fork of the road and what nights to perform "spot checks. " Although they are tourista policia they are not to be trusted! I know this from first hand experience.

If staying in the Laguito area during these "spot checks" better to walk back to your apartment rather than take the 2 minute taxi ride.

AM[/QUOTE]Oddly enough, I've never seen them do one where the police sub-station is. That's the area I've always stayed in. As long as you have your passport on you and aren't dumb enough to carry drugs around, I'd say you'd be fine with a spot check like that. Only those with something illegal should worry.

I've had plenty of contact with the police in Cartagena and in fact know a few of them personally. Most of them aren't bad guys. Some of them are very friendly. There are also some real winners too. I've been there during some of their extortion (bribes) attempts on bars.

David

[QUOTE=Aussie Mate]If staying in the Laguito area during these "spot checks" better to walk back to your apartment rather than take the 2 minute taxi ride.[/QUOTE]Wrong! I also was stopped walking back with my date from LDV to my apartment in Laguito. But it was no big deal. They asked what was in our pockets, we showed them and we moved on. They didn't take any of my money. If I had to guess, they were checking for illegal substances.

[QUOTE=Gonzo]Wrong! I also was stopped walking back with my date from LDV to my apartment in Laguito. But it was no big deal. They asked what was in our pockets, we showed them and we moved on. They didn't take any of my money. If I had to guess, they were checking for illegal substances.[/QUOTE]I got stopped in a taxi last returning from Centro. They set up on the road going into Laguito and they were definately looking for substances. They spent a few minutes analyzing the lint in my pocket.

[quote=aussie mate]the area you are speaking of is the guard/police shack about 1 block outside of ldv where the road splits in the direction of the hilton. they randomly choose which fork of the road and what nights to perform "spot checks. " although they are tourista policia they are not to be trusted! i know this from first hand experience.[/quote]in 4 years of living in laguito, i have never seen them set up on the antares fork in the road. there are very few cars that use that route especially after 8:00 pm.

the boys are just trying to earn a few extra pesos. a cab i was in was stopped at one of those check points maybe 4 years ago. i was in the cab heading for centro with 2 girls who were 19. one did not have her cedula, and the soldiers started saying something about **** girls. gee, even if one had been 17, would it have been illegal for her to have been in the same taxi with me? anyway, a 10k propina cleared everything up. soldiers have bills too.

[QUOTE=Davidb3069]Oddly enough, I've never seen them do one where the police sub-station is. That's the area I've always stayed in. As long as you have your passport on you and aren't dumb enough to carry drugs around, I'd say you'd be fine with a spot check like that. Only those with something illegal should worry.[/QUOTE]They set up checks near the police hut regularly. And they stop every moto.

I wouldn't advise carrying your passport. If a photocopy is not good enough, you can ask them to accompany you to your apt. Or hotel. Be advised that a photocopy under some circumstances may not be accepted. But I would rather deal with those consequences than have to fly to Bogotá and wait for a replacement passport in order to leave the country.

[QUOTE=Gonzo]Wrong! I also was stopped walking back with my date from LDV to my apartment in Laguito. But it was no big deal. They asked what was in our pockets, we showed them and we moved on. They didn't take any of my money. If I had to guess, they were checking for illegal substances.[/QUOTE]Be sure that it is really the police/military asking to see what is in your pockets. That is a common scam used especially in Bogotá and Medellín. They grab your cash and/or passport and run. The scam is usually done by a guy(s) not in uniform.

In the interest of trying to present some facts on this, personal consumption amounts of drugs (cocaine, weed, etc.) are in fact legal in Colombia, tourists included. Small amounts. The police really can't do much to you, if you find yourself in that position. It's not illegal. Those situations sound like possible shakedowns, kinda like the DR.

Now, if you want to be transporting kilos of coke, or pounds of weed, or more than personal consumption amounts between cities, you're on your own and at the mercy of whoever checks you. Of course, don't go crying to the foreign embassy when/if you get busted.

For the record, I don't do coke. Just familiar with the laws. I advise you guys to do the same.

I would strongly recommend Juan Ventura, this guy is honest as they get! Two years ago I was going to buy a place there, and I gave Juan $500 to hold the place. As it turned out

I never got the place, and have not been back to Cartagena in two years, well I am headed back to CTG and I eamil Juan about renting an apartment and dude emails me back telling me he owes me $500!

WOW!

I'm surprised you were stopped walking. After my encounter I chose to have the taxi drop me off prior to the Police/guard post and never was bothered. I guess they'll periodically search anyone?

[quote=davidb3069]oddly enough, i've never seen them do one where the police sub-station is. that's the area i've always stayed in. as long as you have your passport on you and aren't dumb enough to carry drugs around, i'd say you'd be fine with a spot check like that. only those with something illegal should worry.[/quote]i hate to disagree with you david, but it is quite common as of recently anyway.

i was not "dumb!" i did have a photocopy of my passport, i was not carrying drugs nor do i partake in drugs of any sort and i was not carrying anything illegal!

however, during the random stop of vehicles the police seemed to let the other cars proceed with a mere peak in the window. when my taxi arrived at the check point the officer peered into the window and noticed two gringos in the taxi (i would say profiling). at that point he ordered us out of the vehicle and several officers performed a pat down and pocket check. of course nothing was found! they then decided to search the taxi, within seconds of the taxi search a large bag of white powder (cocaine i assume) was found(planted). immediately the officers let the taxi driver leave and detained me and my mate.

after 2 hours of interrogation, threats, and attempts of extortion a higher ranking officer arrived on the scene and we were released without cause.

although we were 100% innocent, it still has me bewildered to some extent why were we released without being charged with a crime or 1 peso exchanging hands? not for sure how the colombian court system works in a case like this and i sure never want to find out!

am

It is a honor for me to call Juan my good friend. There is not a more honest and class guy in the world. Thank you Latina Passion for your post.

[QUOTE=Latina Passion]I would strongly recommend Juan Ventura, this guy is honest as they get! Two years ago I was going to buy a place there, and I gave Juan $500 to hold the place. As it turned out I never got the place, and have not been back to Cartagena in two years, well I am headed back to CTG and I eamil Juan about renting an apartment and dude emails me back telling me he owes me $500![/QUOTE]

The searches were conducted in the fork of the road in front of LDV. Last night I had the company of a regular LDV girl who took off work to spend the entire night at my apartment, and I happened to ask her about the searches. She told me there are new police working in Laguito, and that is the reason the searches are taking place at the moment. The post that I initially made about the searches, and the girls being harrassed, my friend last night told me that approximately 12 of the girls were taken to jail, but then were cleared to be released at 6am, with nothing taking place other than the detainment for a few hours. They are also harrassing the girls who sit out on the benches outside of LDV and on the steps leading up to LDV.

[QUOTE=Tom 33]They set up checks near the police hut regularly. And they stop every moto.

I wouldn't advise carrying your passport. If a photocopy is not good enough, you can ask them to accompany you to your apt. Or hotel. Be advised that a photocopy under some circumstances may not be accepted. But I would rather deal with those consequences than have to fly to Bogotá and wait for a replacement passport in order to leave the country.[/QUOTE]I always carry my passport. If you don't have your passport, they have the option of arresting you. They don't have to be nice and accompany you anywhere. I'm just the opposite, I'd rather take my chances of losing it to a robber than getting tossed in jail. I do maintain copies of all important documents (in color) in electronic form, however, that is easily retrieved with any computer if necessary. You never know when random circumstances will require your passport.

David

[quote=aussie mate]i hate to disagree with you david, but it is quite common as of recently anyway.

i was not "dumb!" i did have a photocopy of my passport, i was not carrying drugs nor do i partake in drugs of any sort and i was not carrying anything illegal!

however, during the random stop of vehicles the police seemed to let the other cars proceed with a mere peak in the window. when my taxi arrived at the check point the officer peered into the window and noticed two gringos in the taxi (i would say profiling). at that point he ordered us out of the vehicle and several officers performed a pat down and pocket check. of course nothing was found! they then decided to search the taxi, within seconds of the taxi search a large bag of white powder (cocaine i assume) was found(planted). immediately the officers let the taxi driver leave and detained me and my mate.

after 2 hours of interrogation, threats, and attempts of extortion a higher ranking officer arrived on the scene and we were released without cause.

although we were 100% innocent, it still has me bewildered to some extent why were we released without being charged with a crime or 1 peso exchanging hands? not for sure how the colombian court system works in a case like this and i sure never want to find out!

am[/quote]i would have asked for the embassy to be called in the situation you were in. they usually play a different tune.

i've had the misfortune of being processed through the dr court system years ago and it's not pretty or nice to be in a foreign jail. that's why i play nice now, steer way the hell clear of dangerous situations (like people with drugs), and just try to enjoy myself. of course, in your case, it's not going to help me if i am a random target of extortion.

foreigners are a pain in the ass for their jail systems. they likely are going to segregate you from the general population so you don't get killed. in my case in dr, i was allowed to sit around and chat with the police and try to sleep in a patrol car. one cop even offered to pay a 100 peso bail for me - i had no money on me. they really didn't want to deal with me.

i'd say you were put through their shakedown routine and nothing more. you didn't flinch and you were let go.

david