Getting Robbed at Gunpoint by The Police in Mexico wasn’t on my list of things to do when I set out to the beaches of Quintana Roo in 2021, but it is what happened. Take a look at the police corruption I experienced in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
Unveiling the Incident: A Nightmarish Encounter near Quinta Avenida
The incident occurred in March 2021, when I was a 21 years old on a trip to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I had left my Airbnb with the simple intention of grabbing some food from Quinta Avenida, also known as Fifth Street.
As I walked toward the bustling street, a cop car suddenly pulled up, marking the beginning of a nightmarish encounter that is ever so common in the hell-hole known as Mexico.
Corrupt Cops Impeding on my Taco Hunt
After leaving my Airbnb, I strolled towards Quinta Avenida to satiate my hunger. Just as I reached the corner of Fifth Street, a police car rolled up beside me. I thought nothing of it, as it is common for police to patrol high traffic areas and Quinta Avenida is a walking street, so police in the area parking their car would seem to be nothing out of the ordinary.
Getting Robbed at Gunpoint
Three police officers emerged from the car: two males and one female. One of the male officers aimed a gun at me, while the female officer rifled through my pockets, taking my wallet and phone. The other male officer appeared to be loitering around, almost as if to keep watch.
The tension was palpable, and I couldn’t believe this was happening in broad daylight on a busy street. While everyone knows Mexico isn’t safe, it is still mind-blowing when your robbed by police in broad daylight with TONS of witnesses.
They Didn’t Take ALL My Money…
The female officer took all the cash from my wallet and began to count it meticulously. In a peculiar twist, she removed the larger bills and put the smaller ones back. She then glanced at my cellphone but seemed uninterested, eventually handing it back to me. My wallet was returned as well, albeit with about the equivalent of $75 lighter.
In total, she took a $50 USD bill and a 500 Peso note. While not the end of the world, it is annoying as can be that this is something that happens to backpackers, tourists, and even locals ALL THE TIME in Mexico.
Weird Final Words
After pocketing my money, the female officer asked me, ‘Do you love Mexico?’ Perplexed , I replied, ‘Yes.’ With that, they left as abruptly as they had arrived.
I bought tickets and flew home the next day. Congratulations on loosing a tourist for life Mexico. The reality is Playa Del Carmen and Quintana Roo in general are not safe places for tourists, clearly in 2021 this was happening frequently as per this article of a similar experience. While trends of crime and corruption sway over periods of time, one this is for certain is that Mexico is ripe with corruption and crime. I was talking to a backpacker that worked at my guesthouse recently in Koh Rong Cambodia about Mexico and they shared a story of them also being robbed in the state of Quintana Roo while in Mexico.
