MEXICAN POLICE – THE ONLY CARTEL YOU'RE GUARANTEED TO MEET IN MEXICO.
- Jerry Jaroslaw
- Apr 19
- 7 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
UPDATED JULY 30TH
‼️KIDNAPPING AND EXTORTION BY POLICE IN CANCÚN‼️
(Find the original version of the blog below, at the end for the update)
At around 2:00 AM, I heard desperate knocking at my door. Standing outside was a crying young woman—my guest—visibly shaken and in tears. Through sobs, she told me that the police had robbed them and kidnapped her husband.
Once she calmed down, she explained what happened.
After leaving the 24K night club in the Cancun Hotel Zone and heading to their parked car, they were stopped by a police patrol. What began as a routine check quickly escalated into a baseless search. The officers claimed they smelled marijuana, and after a search, they found about 1 gram and some cash in USD.
They demanded a bribe of $1,500 USD. It’s likely the high amount was because the tourist looked wealthy and was wearing a flashy gold chain. When he refused to pay, the officers began addressing him in racist and aggressive language, which escalated into a verbal confrontation.
The tourist was handcuffed, thrown into the back of a police pickup truck, and driven away to an unknown location.
His wife, panicked, got in their car and tried to follow the patrol vehicle, but she was quickly stopped by a second patrol, which extorted $200 USD from her for allegedly not having her headlights on. At that point, she lost contact with her husband and returned to the apartment to seek help.
We immediately drove to the Hotel Zone to search for him. One of the patrols we asked knew about the case and directed us to the detention center at the "Policía Turística" station. At the front desk was the same officer who had initially arrested the tourist. He stated that the man would either spend three days in jail, or the wife could pay $320 USD and 500 pesos to have him released.
After the payment was made, the man was released within minutes. I personally picked him up from the station, and I can confirm he was sober and not under the influence of any substances.
⚠️ IMPORTANT WARNING & TIPS FOR TOURISTS IN MEXICO:
1. Don’t flaunt your wealth – expensive watches, jewelry, bags, or branded clothes will only make you a target. If you refuse to pay, they may even try to confiscate your belongings as “collateral” until you bring them cash.
2. Do NOT get confrontational with the police – even if they’re acting unlawfully, don’t raise your voice, don’t insult them, and don’t show disrespect. Stay calm and collected.
3. Negotiate immediately with the first patrol – never accept the first absurd amount they ask for. Mexican police often start with ridiculous sums (like $1,500 USD for something minor or nothing at all), but calm and patient negotiation can lower that to $30 or even $15. If a second or third patrol shows up, the price will increase—they need to split the “earnings.”
4. Don’t expect justice – the Mexican police system is deeply corrupt, from the street level to prosecutors. Recordings, evidence, complaints? They mean nothing. The system protects its own.
5. Don’t carry drugs – even the smallest amount can be used as leverage for extortion. If you absolutely must, hide it very carefully (e.g., inside underwear)—street cops rarely conduct full body searches.
6. Always use Uber or taxis after clubbing – don’t walk through the Hotel Zone at night, especially if you’ve been drinking. Uber works in Cancún; in places like Tulum, use trusted taxi services.
🔴 If you’re coming to Mexico, stay alert and don’t let the tropical vibe make you drop your guard. Ironically, the greatest danger may come not from thieves—but from those in uniform.
🆘 Share this post—it might save someone’s vacation… or their freedom.
Principal blog text
MEXICAN POLICE – THE ONLY CARTEL YOU'RE GUARANTEED TO MEET IN MEXICO.
When you arrive in Mexico, you'll meet amazing people: warm, friendly, fun-loving, open-minded individuals eager to connect and help. You'll find beauty, kindness, and unforgettable experiences. One thing you won’t encounter—despite what the headlines scream—are cartel members. But what you will definitely meet, without fail, is the police. They're everywhere. On every street, at every intersection, patrolling with military-grade weapons and often riding in groups on the back of pick-up trucks.
And let me warn you—this is not a good thing.
Forget everything you know about police in Europe or the U.S., where even if corruption exists, there's still a sense of order, accountability, and public service. In Mexico, the police are a well-organized racket, the most visible and aggressive gang in the country, wearing uniforms and pretending to serve the public. And worst of all? They’ve made tourists their number one target.
SHAKEDOWNS ON WHEELS
You won't be stopped for speeding. You won't be stopped because your car is unsafe. You’ll be stopped simply because you look like you have money—and they want it.
These stops are elaborate heists. The amount they take from you doesn't depend on any law—only on how much cash you have on hand. And yes, they’ll happily escort you to an ATM if your wallet isn’t fat enough.
If you resist? They'll threaten to tow your car, confiscate your papers, or even jail you. And if you still don’t pay, they’ll call in reinforcements, accuse you of drug trafficking, and tear your car and bags apart in a prolonged, humiliating search that won’t stop until you break.
Your options?
Hide your cash deep in your luggage. Carry only your ID, vehicle papers, and a small amount (say 500 pesos) in your pocket. If they stop you, tell them you were just robbed and you're waiting for your embassy or family to send money. Trust me—they’ll let you go when they see there’s nothing to steal.
Language barrier tactic: When stopped, pretend you don’t speak Spanish or English. Use any other language—make one up if you must. Answer every question in gibberish. If your passengers play along and feign confusion, the officers will get frustrated and give up. Works like magic.
EXTORTION ON FOOT
Not in a car? Doesn’t matter. The police also stop pedestrians for “offenses” like drinking a beer in public, crossing the street incorrectly (it is not important if it happened) , or just walking suspiciously. It’s all a setup. They’ll pressure you, intimidate you, and the second you reveal you have cash, it’s gone.
Stick to the same defenses. Keep money hidden. Fake confusion. Never admit you have access to more. Always act broke, confused, and inconvenient.
WHAT IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM?
Now let’s flip the script. What if you actually need help from the police?
Here’s the brutal truth: unless you need a police report for insurance purposes, don’t waste your time. If you’ve been robbed, assaulted, or had your property stolen, don’t expect anything beyond bureaucracy, delays, and frustration.
They'll send you from one station to another with excuses like, “It’s not our jurisdiction,” or “That officer isn’t here today.” If you insist, they’ll eventually assign you a clerk, not a detective. And before the clerk starts your report, they might scold you—for not bringing lunch or coffee. Not joking. I watched a local run out to buy food for a clerk just to be served.
Eventually, you’ll receive a report full of errors—wrong name, wrong number, wrong details. When you ask for corrections, they’ll react as if you just insulted their entire family.
And wait—there’s more. You’ll need an official translator, even if you speak Spanish, and that could take days. Then, maybe—maybe—you’ll meet a detective. But they’re probably stationed in a completely different part of town, in a hidden office with no signage.
Once there, the detective may tell you the crime was misclassified, or that it’s not their responsibility. But if—by some miracle—they agree to take the case, they’ll do it using a typewriter from the 1800s, because “the computer doesn’t work.”
You made it this far. You’re thinking: will they help now?
Nope. Not unless you pay.
Yes, the police might actually demand money for gas, lunch, or just the motivation to investigate. And even then, don’t expect results. By then, evidence is long gone, surveillance erased, and suspects vanished.
THE SICK JOKE OF MEXICAN JUSTICE
In government offices and prosecutor’s buildings, you’ll see signs stating officials don’t accept bribes. With their full name, photo, and title printed next to this proud claim.
What a joke.
I once sat in an office with ten prosecutors, each at their desk, each facing a citizen giving testimony. One of them looked me in the eye and casually asked how much I’d be willing to pay to “speed things up.” I asked him how much, what I’d get, and what guarantees he could offer. He shrugged and said, “Just make an offer.”
I didn’t pay. Years later, my case still hasn’t moved an inch. Would it be different if I had? Who knows?
THE SAD Truth about Mexican Police
A police officer I met over drinks once told me that when they take a patrol vehicle, they first have to pay the dispatcher a fee out of pocket—just to use it. So naturally, they make that money back. How? By robbing people. Tourists especially.
I live in Mexico. I love this country. I love its people, its nature, its music, its spirit. But the police? They are not from this planet. If I had superpowers, I’d teleport them all back to the hell they came from.
Thank you for reading my blog to the end.
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About the Author:
I’m an entrepreneur and business consultant, living for the past eight years in Cancún, Mexico – a place that has become both my home and a source of inspiration. I'm a passionate traveler, yacht captain, kitesurfer, and a dedicated host, always seeking to create meaningful experiences.
I love meeting people, hearing their stories, discovering diverse cultures, and sharing what I’ve learned along the way. Helping others and supporting local animal rescue efforts are causes close to my heart – caring for homeless animals is a meaningful part of my daily life.
This blog was born out of a desire to share – knowledge, passion, and glimpses of everyday life in Mexico. I hope you find something here that inspires you.
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