Cartagena Airport

DCNUPE/Eddie · #1 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 02:23 PM

Hey -

Wanted to share my thoughts with someone and who better--you guys (yeah I know I've been away for awhile). Last week at C/gena airport there were several drug smuggling incidents. What befunddles (did I just make that word up) me is why do these idiots try. The good thing is that 90% of the ones caught are non americans. Last week were some Israelis, Germans and Mexicans. To top it off the Israelis were also with 15 year old Colombian girls......tisk tisk.

Back in the late 80s to mid 90s C/gena Airport was one of the lackest drug detection airports in Colombia so those who haven't updated their history minds probably would think that would be the best airport to depart - however since then the airport has been the leader in caputuring the most drugs and idiots. DAS and NP are incentivized which has helped the airport lose its past bad rep.

Even I have been thoroughly interogated years past, almost as much as I get in Miami. But knowing the game has put me at ease.

Just read the local newspaper a few times a week and I'm sure you will read what I'm reporting. Oh and BTW the new criminal rave in C/gena is that guys on motorcyles hijack women for their hair. Yes their hair! they hold them up with a pistol and cut their hair and resell it for about 200.000cop.

RIP Joe Cuba!

***BIG E*** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCNUPE/Eddie

Hey -

Wanted to share my thoughts with someone and who better--you guys (yeah I know I've been away for awhile). Last week at C/gena airport there were several drug smuggling incidents. What befunddles (did I just make that word up) me is why do these idiots try. The good thing is that 90% of the ones caught are non americans. Last week were some Israelis, Germans and Mexicans. To top it off the Israelis were also with 15 year old Colombian girls......tisk tisk.

Back in the late 80s to mid 90s C/gena Airport was one of the lackest drug detection airports in Colombia so those who haven't updated their history minds probably would think that would be the best airport to depart - however since then the airport has been the leader in caputuring the most drugs and idiots. DAS and NP are incentivized which has helped the airport lose its past bad rep.

Even I have been thoroughly interogated years past, almost as much as I get in Miami. But knowing the game has put me at ease.

Just read the local newspaper a few times a week and I'm sure you will read what I'm reporting. Oh and BTW the new criminal rave in C/gena is that guys on motorcyles hijack women for their hair. Yes their hair! they hold them up with a pistol and cut their hair and resell it for about 200.000cop.

RIP Joe Cuba!

They try because many times they succeed. For every one that is caught, 4 or 5 make it in... the odds may be even greater than that.

DCNUPE/Eddie · #3 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 04:26 PM

Big E

I don't dispute that "some" make it out, but I disagree on the percentage. At least through the "mule" airport method. Then you have our great DHS personnel at our ports. Haven't you seen the Homeland Security show on TV? ;-)

RIP Joe Cuba

Micky10 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 04:48 PM

ED -

Nice to see your smiling face. I don't know anything about the smuggling biz, but I sure agree with you that the AP in Cart is much tougher than Bog or Med. I had ALL of my stuff searched at least once, my small day pack that I use as a carry on got completely searched three times.

Love - Micky

Tim413 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 04:57 PM

I went through Cartagena Airport last month using Spirit Air. The security guy in Cartagena made sure my bags were under 50lb. since he didn't want me to get charged extra. I was amazed at how friendly security was.

In the US, I was going through customs hand carrying a rolled up city map of Barranquilla. The Homeland Security guy started crushing my map. I got so upset. All the guy had to do was open it!!!!!!

I have not had any problems going over the boarder, but when my wife is with me, we always have problems.

Tim

***BIG E*** · #6 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim413

In the US, I was going through customs hand carrying a rolled up city map of Barranquilla. The Homeland Security guy started crushing my map. I got so upset. All the guy had to do was open it!!!!!!

DHS and customs have no authority.. in the airports and on the ground anyway. Here is an example. I had some items from Iran when I was entering the US from London. Now.. you cant bring in items from Iran into the US. So when the customs guy asked to search my bags, I told him I didn't have time for this and asked him to get his supervisor. He said "No no.. forget it." In reality, I think I would have felt better if he would have done his job.

DHS and customs have so little power it isnt even funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRk3awO1Jq0

Watch that video. THIS IS HOW EVERY SINGLE AGENT IS. No power what-so-ever. This is why I could never work for the government in any capacity of law enforcement. If someone popped their mouth off like this, I would jerk them out of their car. So, I would be unemployed very quickly. They have no power. This video, and his 50 others, all are like this. He, and others, ignore the agents and NOTHING happens to them. Nothing.

Until agents can actually do their jobs, people will sneak all kinds of contraband into and out of the country.

It sucks.....

Airto · #7 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 11:28 PM

Big E, don't these guys have manual to adhere to, and a mission statement. This is not a laughing matter to me, this is a waste of time and money. This should be taken more seriously or stopped, surely there is a purpose for the checkpoints. I could not do that job without being an asshole. I would not be employed for long.

***BIG E*** · #8 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airto

Big E, don't these guys have manual to adhere to, and a mission statement. This is not a laughing matter to me, this is a waste of time and money. This should be taken more seriously or stopped, surely there is a purpose for the checkpoints. I could not do that job without being an asshole. I would not be employed for long.

Well, you saw it.

They say things will be different now... they will have the power they are supposed to have. We will see. I sure hope so. I would have jerked that idiot out and tossed his ass around like a rag doll!!!

DCNUPE/Eddie · #9 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 01:03 AM

Customs is DHS (CBP & ICE) didn't watch the video, but I can assure you that Customs and Border Protection officers and Immigration and Custom Enforcement officers should NOT be taken lightly. Can't comment on your personal experience, perhaps if the story is accurate you encountered a pussy all LEOs have them. Regarding power.......errrrrr, they have the same as any other Federal LE derived from 19 C.F.R. 162.6. And they are not just at the airports - that is a small part of their duties. They're at every POE.

RIP Joe Cuba

***BIG E*** · #10 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCNUPE/Eddie

Customs is DHS (CBP & ICE) didn't watch the video, but I can assure you that Customs and Border Protection officers and Immigration and Custom Enforcement officers should NOT be taken lightly. Can't comment on your personal experience, perhaps if the story is accurate you encountered a pussy all LEOs have them. Regarding power.......errrrrr, they have the same as any other Federal LE derived from 19 C.F.R. 162.6. And they are not just at the airports - that is a small part of their duties. They're at every POE.

RIP Joe Cuba

You should watch the video. You can see their reactions. This is how it works everywhere with them. They dont use their "powers" at all. They look like a bunch of wimps!