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Taxicab Crime: U.S. citizens visiting Mexico City
should absolutely avoid taking any taxi not summoned by telephone
or on their behalf by a responsible individual or contracted in
advance at the airport. Robbery assaults on passengers in taxis
have become more frequent and violent, with passengers subjected
to beatings, sexual assault and in December 1997, the murder of
a U.S. citizen. When in need of a taxi, telephone a radio taxi
or "sitio" (pronounced "C-T-O"). Ask the dispatcher for the driver
s name and the cab s license plate number. If you walk to a "sitio"
taxi stnd, use only a driver known to you. Ask the hotel concierge
or other responsible individual calling on your behalf to write
down the license plate number. Passengers arriving at Mexico City
s Benito Juarez International Airport should take only airport
taxis (yellow with an airport symbol on the door) after pre-paying
the fare at one of the special booths inside the airport. Radio
taxis may be called at telephone numbers: 271-9146, 271-9058 and
272-6125. U.S. citizens should avoid taking taxis parked outside
the Bellas Artes theater, in front of nightclubs, restaurants
or cruising throughout the city.
In Case of Emergency. Call the Mexican Ministry of Tourism
s emergency hotline, [91] (5) 250-0123, for immediate assistance.
Or, in Mexico City, dial 06 for police assistance.
If You Have Been the Victim of a Crime. Immediately contact
the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. consulate or consular agency.
For addresses and telephone numbers, see the end of this pamphlet.
You should also report the crime to the local police immediately.
Avoiding Legal Problems
While traveling in Mexico, you are subject to Mexican
laws and not U.S. laws. Tourists who commit illegal acts
have no special privileges and are subject to full prosecution
under the Mexican judicial system.
Avoid drug offenses. Mexico rigorously prosecutes drug
cases. Under Mexican law, possession of and trafficking in illegal
drugs are federal offenses. For drug trafficking, bail does not
exist. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and
fines. Sentences for possession of drugs in Mexico can be as long
as 25 years plus fines. Just as in the U.S., the purchase of controlled
medication requires a doctor s prescription. The Mexican list
of controlled medication differs from the U.S. list and Mexican
public health laws concerning controlled medication are unclear.
Possession of excessive amounts of a psychotropic drug such as
valium can result in your arrest if the authorities suspect abuse.
Mexican law does not differentiate between types of narcotics.
Heroin, marijuana, and amphetamines, for example, are treated
the same. Offenders found guilty of possessing more than
a token amount of any narcotic substance are subject to a minimum
sentence of 10 years, and it is not uncommon for persons charged
with drug offenses to be detained for up to 1 year before a verdict
is reached.
Remember, if narcotics are found in your vehicle, you are subject
to arrest and your vehicle can be confiscated.
Avoid public drunkenness. It is against the law to be
drunk in public in Mexico. Certain border towns have become impatient
with teenage (and older) Americans who cross the border to drink
and carouse. This behavior can lead to fights, arrests, traffic
accidents and even fatalities.
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