Need Help

The Police in Matamoros have taken my son to jail. They have demanded $10,000.00 pesos from me for his release otherwise he will be sent to Prison. This is the 3rd time they have taken money from him. If I pay the money they will just keep doing this over and over. What can I do? Can they demand money from me to release him is this legal? Where can I go to get help?

[StrykerGT2001]

Your first call should be to the US consulate, and if need be, they should be able to recommend a lawyer in the area if need be. However if he was involved in a drug or firearm related offense, the consulate probably will not be able to help much.

If he has been formally charged and 10,000 pesos is the fine (multa), then you may well have to pay it, but it sounds like something a bit shady is going on. Exactly who is "demanding" the money from you? And how do they want you to pay it (wire transfer, etc?) The more information you have to give to the consulate, the more they can help.

I believe it is a bit shady. I called the consulate and they were going to visit him. They asked for the 10,000.00 pesos via credit card. If I pay this I'm sure they will just do it again since they know I have the money. I have not heard back from the Consulate. My son said they put some Pot in his back pack and took some pictures. I say nothing we can do about that. Right? I feel so helpless.

Here is the unfortunant part. My daughter in law went to the POLICE STATION to find out how to help him and THEY tried to rob her. I sent an e-mail to the Consulate begging them to go down there with her. Is there anyone in that area that can help her out. I'm afraid if she goes back by herself they will just take the $1500.00 from her. What in the world is going on????

[Quién Soy Yo?]

And what advise have you received from your attorney?

I have not contacted a Attorney I am in the US and I'm sure they will not be able to help me with Police problems in Mexico.

The price just went up. I had to send 15,000.00 Pesos yesterday. The US Consulate has not returned my calls I have called them 4 times. Now I can't reach my son or Daughter in Law. She went to the Police Station Thursday to pay the ransom and that's all I know. There were a total of six that were arrested that night. All the mexican guys were released but they kept my son. This is some kind of nightmare. I know you guys can't help I just need to vent to people who may understand.

Originally Posted by virgo062

The price just went up. I had to send 15,000.00 Pesos yesterday. The US Consulate has not returned my calls I have called them 4 times. Now I can't reach my son or Daughter in Law. She went to the Police Station Thursday to pay the ransom and that's all I know. There were a total of six that were arrested that night. All the mexican guys were released but they kept my son. This is some kind of nightmare. I know you guys can't help I just need to vent to people who may understand.

I'm at a lost! You found this Website for help. Why didnt you do a search at Yahoo or Google for Legal help in Mexico? Here....in three seconds I got this from a search:
Jaime B. Berger Stender
Attorney at Law
1909 6th, Suite 301
Tijuana, B.C. Mexico 22000
(011 52) 66-85-4452 or 85-0022 tel
(011 52) 66-88-1570 fax

Paying bribes to an Official in Mexico is not the way to do things (it encourages corruption of the system). Secondly…I don’t think any Mexican prison system or police headquarters accepts a credit card (I may be incorrect…but I just never heard of it). Sounds like you aren’t dealing with an Official representative of the Mexican Government, but rather a now rich Joe Doe……
Emailing the US Consulate is a joke! Don’t bother. WALK IN! Take your credit card, buy a plane ticket to the nearest US Consulate, and walk in! OR: hire a good Mexican law firm! I even wonder if you are for real here…………….