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This Warden Message informs U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Mexico of the ongoing security concerns for travelers driving on the Maxipista Benito Juarez toll road in the State of Sinaloa. This highway is known to be particularly dangerous at night when roadside robberies occur. Sometimes criminals create a roadblock and stop as many cars as they can catch, and then rob the travelers, usually at gunpoint, sometimes also taking the car. Other times the criminals drive up behind a vehicle and divert the victim’s car to a side road where they rob the travelers. For this reason, U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo strongly advises all travelers to travel during daylight hours.


The Consulate’s Security office has advised Consulate personnel to use armored vehicles on well traveled roads during daylight hours when traveling in Sinaloa. The reason for this policy is escalating violence throughout northern Mexico and Sinaloa. Although travel is still permitted to Sinaloa, U.S. government employees are instructed to follow the security practices detailed in “A Safe Trip Abroad,” which can be found at

Travel warning
Posted by c2p on April 28, 2010, 5:53 pm
24.108.16.221

My wife and I were carjacked on the cuota (toll road) last Thursday at 9:00 am, 4 kilometers north on the Mazatlan Policia Federal Preventiva headquarters. We were surrounded and then stopped by three trucks and a car. Five gunman made sure that we behaved ourselves. We were hauled from the truck, put face down on the road with guns to our heads. The truck, our belongings and worst of all our three rescue dogs were gone in an instant. A very well rehearsed, well executed "take down" taking no longer than two minutes to complete. Reporting the incident to the PFP shortly thereafter their only response was that there had been a number of similar occurances over the past while (newer trucks being the preferred targets). The Canadian Consulate offered us immediate assistance providing emotional support, meals and accomodation and arranging for the first available flight to Vancouver. Don't think for a moment that you are safe on the cuota - day or night, be vigilant, keep an eye on your rear view mirror at all times and make sure you are not being followed when leaving a Pemex station. Please make sure all of your friends and acquaintances are aware of a potential carjacking before they head home.