25. VISITING MEXICO. This is a guide for proper conduct in Mexico, but due to brevity, does NOT contain all of the pertinent information of COMELEVEN Instruction 5710.4D.

a.       In Mexico you are in a foreign country completely subject to the laws of that country. DO NOT BECOME INVOLVED IN A SITUATION WHICH MAY RESULT IN ARREST OR DETAINMENT.

(1)      Many offenses which are civil offenses in the United States are criminal offenses in Mexico. Persons charged with offenses are held in jail until the requisite fine or bail is paid or the sentence is served. For certain Offenses, (e.g., Narcotics, etc.) a person may be held without bail for a year or more until trial is completed.

(2)      Naval authorities are not able to furnish assistance to the same extent as can be expected in the United States.

(3)                        The Shore Patrol, stationed at the border (Sub‑Station San Ysidro) on a 24 hour basis, will render assistance but must have immediate information concerning the incident to provide timely assistance. If you have any questions, check with the Border Shore Patrol. If you get into trouble or are involved in an incident, you are directed to report to the Shore Patrol located in the vicinity of the United States Immigration Stations near Tijuana and Mexicali.

b.       Military personnel must wear civilian clothes when visiting Mexico and possess their Identification Cards, Liberty Cards if required, and Leave Papers (if on leave status).

C.                    It is recommended that you leave your cars on the United States side of the border and ride in only regularly scheduled commercial transportation when proceeding across the border.

(1)              If you use a taxicab, do not get in until the fare has been

predetermined.

(2)      If you insist on using a private car for transportation, be positive that the insurance coverage on the car used is valid for complete coverage for travel in Mexico and that the car is registered in your name or you have notarized evidence of your authority to drive a car not owned by you. Most American insurance policies are NOT recognized nor are they protective for a private car involved in an accident in Mexico. Mexican insurance coverage for the car and passengers can usually be obtained in United States towns adjacent to the Mexican border and is recommended. Accidents resulting in personal injuries or property damage normally lead to detention irrespective of insurance coverage. Automobile accident cases frequently result in combined criminal and civil actions requiring large bail deposits.

(3)                                      Speed laws and traffic ordinances are rigidly enforced.

d.       In most cases, unless you are a United States or Canadian citizen, you may be required to have a valid visa to re‑enter the United States. Many visiting relatives or friends, who are not citizens of the United States or Canada, may be embarrassed by immigration regulations. Check the immigration regulations before visiting Mexico.

e.       DECLARE ALL YOUR MERCHANDISE AT THE ACTUAL PRICE PAID. Failure to declare will result in seizure of merchandise and the assessment of a personal penalty. If you intend to import merchandise, check with Customs on the way into Mexico for possible restrictions.

(1)      Military personnel stationed in California are presumed to be domiciled in California. Therefore, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BRING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES INTO CALIFORNIA AFTER VISITING MEXICO. Alcoholic beverages may not be imported into the State of California.

f.       Do NOT pick up strangers or associate with strangers while in Mexico.

(1)           Do NOT do business with street peddlers or solicitors.

(2)           Refrain from sexual contact. The V. D. rate is extremely high.

(3)      UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES INTERFERE WITH MEXICAN POLICE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.

(4)                        Do NOT enter into an argument with shopkeepers, bartenders, or other businessmen.

(5)           Do NOT wander from the main streets of the city.

(6)                        Minors are prohibited from entering bars or buying intoxicants. This is a violation of Mexican law, and may result in arrest and confinement by Mexican authorities.

(7)                        DO NOT BUY, USE, OR POSSESS MARIJUANA OR OTHER NARCOTICS!

(8)                        DO NOT GET DRUNK. You place yourself at the mercy of unscrupulous people.

(9)      DO NOT CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS, including switch blades, across the border, going to or from Mexico.

(10)     Above all, return to the United States at a reasonable hour, unless you are on authorized leave to visit and tour Mexico.

(11)     A person can spend a great deal of time in Mexico and remain as healthy and free of disease as in the United States if he follows a few very simple basic health rules as set forth below:

(a)      Never drink water from a public water supply. In a restaurant insist on bottled water.

(b)               Be sure you are current on all immunizations.

(c)                                           Practice good personal hygiene.

(d) Do not purchase food from street vendors; they have no sanitary facilities for handling food.

(e)               Indiscriminate eating of raw foodstuffs such as vegetables should be avoided.

(f) If you order milk, be sure to specify pasteurized milk. Several diseases are transmitted through raw milk such as undulant fever and tuberculosis.

(g) Use good judgment in selecting a place to eat or drink. In judging a place to eat, check the following points:

1.                              Is the place free of flies and other insects?

2.                                Are the utensils, glasses and tables clean?

3.                                    Are food service people neat and clean?

4.                                             Is general housekeeping clean?