TJ Trip And Past Experience
I'm planning another vacation to TJ. I have been going there since 1991 When I was stationed in Oceanside. I now live 6 hrs away but still go 2-3 times a year. However, after my experience in 2003 and from what I have read on prior posts, it is getting more and more dangerous. The environment down there is just so dynamic, you never know what to expect.
In Jan 2003, I was busted by the policia and had an aweful experience. I got comfortable and it led to my demise. After going to one place, I went to this other place to grab a few things. The person I did business with for years was on vacation. I ended up doing business with this new guy. When I left he had a derisive smile on his face and I didn't really think much of it. I went to a bar and got a drink, then went to the car. I then left the parking lot and bam!, we are immediatley trailed by 3 police cars (they came out of nowhere). One pulled us over and the other pulled along side, with one in front. They told us to follow them and they led us to a remote part of town. They demanded $1200 in cash to let us go or they would take us to the "narcotic detectives". We didn't have that much cash. Then they took our wallets and found my ATM card. At that point they drove me to the ATM machine and made me pull out the maximum $300. After pleading with them they finally let us go. I now know why that fat guy was smiling at me! (There is obviously more to this than I have mentioned.)
In over 14 years, I had the one mishap. I attribute it to being partly my fault for getting comfortable (I deviated from my normal routine), partly the fat guy's fault. Since then, I have avoided this place and now just go to one of the other graneros I have frequented in the past (by smart and final). Now I am hearing that this place is attracting heat (policia, DEA). I am hoping this is a rumor because this guy has always been an honest proprietor. Those of you who are familiar with TJ know what place I am talking about and might be able to determine if this is just a rumor. I am trying to gauge the climate before I go.