A Question

[Keith Smith]

Hi Party People. Have anyone here have been scrutinized by the Colombian National Police (not DAS) upon entering and/or leaving Colombia? For example, the business with the stomach x-ray at the hospital in Palmira (I had to pay for it). Was that part of a scam? If so, how can one avoid such a situation in the future? Thanks.

[Gator]

... in response to A Question, posted by Keith Smith on Feb 17, 2004

1.  Don't be upset, it is THEIR country

2.  Do NOT travel to Colombia with a copy of the U S Constitution in your pocket.

3.  Not a scam-Colombia is very aware of the adverse publicity surrounding the drug proplem in the country.

4.  If you show your a-- learn these phrases:

"El cárcel es magnifico.  Mucho mejor que mi hotel."
Nice jail you got.  Better than my hotel.

The above phrase can be used shortly after you say,
"¿Dije veinte dólares?  ¡Quise decir cincuenta!"
Did I say $20? I meant $50!

[Keith Smith]

... in response to This will help you out., posted by Gator on Feb 20, 2004

Gator, it's not a matter of me being upset. But I do find it a little disturbing. If you read the PL archives, I had do deal with nonsense from U.S. Customs Inspectors (at MIA) between Dec. 2000 and Dec. 2001. I don't have a problem complying with law enforcement personnel NO MATTER WHERE THEY'RE FROM. But don't accuse me of something that I didn't do, then try to make light of it. And no, I don't carry a copy of the U.S. Constitution with me when I travel overseas. And one other thing, I don't have a need to show off. Being belligerent (normally) doesn't solve anything. It just makes things worse. Later.

[greg]

... in response to A Question, posted by Keith Smith on Feb 17, 2004

email letter, a pleasure hearing from you. CaliAdvior is no other than  Aanon :O)

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to A Question, posted by Keith Smith on Feb 17, 2004

The Cali Alfonso Bonillo airport has not installed an advance xray on premices in the Cali airport. The cost ($500,000) was payed for by the american governent.

What does this mean to you? No more trips to Palmira, just the embarrasment of being singled out as a desperate drug mule.

[Keith Smith]

... in response to UPDATE, posted by CaliAdvisor on Feb 18, 2004

Dun, for the record, I AM NOT A TERRORIST, MURDERER, THIEF, or NARCO-TRAFFICKER. I am NOT a criminal. I am a civil servant (City of New York) for 14 years.

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to UPDATE, posted by CaliAdvisor on Feb 18, 2004

Whoops.. I mean to say that they have JUST installed the xray.. THE XRAY HAS BEEN INSTALLED.

[DavidMN]

... in response to Re: UPDATE, posted by CaliAdvisor on Feb 18, 2004

N/T

[Keith Smith]

... in response to What's the frequency, Kenneth.  ;-)  N/T, posted by DavidMN on Feb 18, 2004

It only happend to me once.

[cancunhound]

... in response to A Question, posted by Keith Smith on Feb 17, 2004

I haven't heard of any more incidents since El-Pais ran that article about the money scam going on their.  My understanding is that if requested in Cali and they still don't have the machine onsite at the airport - refuse and deal with any consequences with US agents upon reentry.

[Keith Smith]

... in response to Re: Cali X-Ray, posted by cancunhound on Feb 18, 2004

Well, that  particular incident took place in June 2002. It didn't happen again. But hey, you never know.

[Nico]

... in response to A Question, posted by Keith Smith on Feb 17, 2004

[This message has been edited by Nico]

Keith,

I got my stomach x-rayed in the Bogota airport several months ago. Welcome to the club.

[Keith Smith]

... in response to Re: A Question, posted by Nico on Feb 18, 2004

Nico, I do understand.

[Chris F]

... in response to A Question, posted by Keith Smith on Feb 17, 2004

When leaving Bogota in August of last year with my friend, they pulled him out of the line at the airport and he had to have his stomach xrayed. He is originally from Bolivia...so maybe his look had something to do with it.

So...yes...this does happen.

How to avoid it?.....heck......if you have a plane to catch back to the United States, I don't think your going to say no if you are asked to do it.

[Wasp]

... in response to Re: A Question, posted by Chris F on Feb 17, 2004

The issue is whether they try to make you pay for the x-ray.