Leaving POP Airport: Strip Down

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buggabagang

Guest
Hi - just left POP to go back to NY after a good visit to Sosua.
First time ever as I went thru security I was asked for my Passport and brought into a back room.
Of course - as I see all the time in the airport I watched the guy fumble going thru 25 different keys to try to open the door...and once inside he did the same as he tried to lock the door. Once in the back room and after trying to lock us in (he couldn't figure out how to lock the door) he told me to remove my clothes. Pull off shirt...pull down pants (of course it was hot and I had no underwear on). So pretty much naked in the back room. Now, I am not shy and have no problems showing anyone my naked body but I felt somewhat violated in some small way. Is this a common practice that I have missed in prior visits?

Just curious...
 
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chico bill

Guest
Did he check your body cavities ?
That Julio (formerly Julia) is such a joker.
 
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cavok

Guest
Not quite as bad as that, but when I departed POP last month, the security inspector pulled everything out of my bag. Tore everything out of my bag is a better description and thoroughly examined the empty carry on.

I had a bag of coffee that I was bringing back as a gift. This put them on high alert. I was sent off to the side and pretty much out of view while security kept talking about my coffee. After neatly refolding all my clothes and putting them back into the bag, they brought out the dog and him walk around me, my bag, and my coffee at least five times.

I've never gone through that before.
 
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chico bill

Guest
Not quite as bad as that, but when I departed POP last month, the security inspector pulled everything out of my bag. Tore everything out of my bag is a better description and thoroughly examined the empty carry on.

I had a bag of coffee that I was bringing back as a gift. This put them on high alert. I was sent off to the side and pretty much out of view while security kept talking about my coffee. After neatly refolding all my clothes and putting them back into the bag, they brought out the dog and him walk around me, my bag, and my coffee at least five times.

I've never gone through that before.

Should have bought the coffee in the Duty Free shop.
I like to shop in the Duty Free shop
 
B

Big

Guest
I wouldn't get nervous until he/she started putting on rubber gloves
 
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cobraboy

Guest
Not quite as bad as that, but when I departed POP last month, the security inspector pulled everything out of my bag. Tore everything out of my bag is a better description and thoroughly examined the empty carry on.

I had a bag of coffee that I was bringing back as a gift. This put them on high alert. I was sent off to the side and pretty much out of view while security kept talking about my coffee. After neatly refolding all my clothes and putting them back into the bag, they brought out the dog and him walk around me, my bag, and my coffee at least five times.

I've never gone through that before.
Coffee is a giveaway.
 
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cavok

Guest
Should have bought the coffee in the Duty Free shop.
I like to shop in the Duty Free shop

A regular bag of Santo Domingo coffee in Duty Free was 400 pesos! I pay 200 in Janet's. I buy Induban Gourmet in Janet's for 300 pesos. In Duty Free it was 650 pesos!

Total rip off on rums and coffee in Duty Free. Only some things are a good deal.
 
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SKY

Guest
Anything from the DR is a total rip off in Duty Free. Some rums are 2 or 3 times the price you pay in any supermarket or liquor store in the DR. And this goes for the Duty Free in Miami also. Same company, same prices.
 
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cavok

Guest
Coffee is a giveaway.

Yeah, I guess they thought they had their big bust for the day with a narco carrying a half pound of coke concealed in a bag of coffee.

They also tried to take away my nail clippers. I asked why and he pointed to the small, worthless little nail file that's on most clippers. I asked him to hand me the clippers, opened the file, and broke it off. I asked, are they ok now? He looked at me dumfolded and in complete surprise and said "yes".
 
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USA DOC

Guest
Yeah, I guess they thought they had their big bust for the day with a narco carrying a half pound of coke concealed in a bag of coffee.

They also tried to take away my nail clippers. I asked why and he pointed to the small, worthless little nail file that's on most clippers. I asked him to hand me the clippers, opened the file, and broke it off. I asked, are they ok now? He looked at me dumfolded and in complete surprise and said "yes".

...you might be amazed how many times they do find coke ...at departure... many years ago I flew back from South America, with a stamp from Peru in my passport... at the airport in M.P.L.S MN. customs did the same, small room 2 guys ...take off everything to your underware so I did... no drugs taped to my body..I was told to have a nice day and I could now leave....
 
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william webster

Guest
Nail Clippers
They tried to take my friend's ,,, his favorite !!

He closed his bag went back outside and checked it

Coffee
We hear that often ... even in the 'below rooms' screening area - checked bags
They have been known to seek out the passenger for a search... from the waiting area

Seems to look like cocaine packets
 
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KyleMackey

Guest
Should have at least had a chica in there and then you say you first.
 
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cobraboy

Guest
Nail Clippers
They tried to take my friend's ,,, his favorite !!

He closed his bag went back outside and checked it

Coffee
We hear that often ... even in the 'below rooms' screening area - checked bags
They have been known to seek out the passenger for a search... from the waiting area

Seems to look like cocaine packets
Coffee masks the scent from the dogs.
 
A

AlterEgo

Guest
Nail Clippers
They tried to take my friend's ,,, his favorite !!

He closed his bag went back outside and checked it

Coffee
We hear that often ... even in the 'below rooms' screening area - checked bags
They have been known to seek out the passenger for a search... from the waiting area

Seems to look like cocaine packets

They came and got us from the departure area last year. Big project, down elevators, halls, another waiting area, until they brought out the suitcase. It was unlocked, but they said they weren’t allowed to open it. Inside was no clothing, just 30 pounds of coffee beans, cassava and dulce de leche. Because it was beans, they zipped the case and sent us back upstairs with out escort.
 
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drstock

Guest
I feel sorry for the OP having to strip for no reason. I'm guessing there was something that raised the officials' suspicions. I have never had to do anything like that, except having my suitcase opened and checked before leaving, as AlterEgo did. I never carry any foodstuffs with me, just in case the authorities take exception. It's not worth the potential for problems as far as I'm concerned.
 
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Garyexpat

Guest
I've taken coffee before and never had a problem departing SDQ or SDI. I did something foolish when leaving Colombia last trip. I had stayed in an Airbnb, bought some laundry detergent to wash clothes. I had it in my bag. The guy at Medellin security's eyes seemed to light up when he saw white powder but after smelling it and crunching the bag to make sure not another smaller bag within he put it back in my bag.
Note to self, leave the dam detergent behind for the next guest.
 
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beeza

Guest
Was probably a tip off to the DNCD. Or as least someone matching the OP's description. A few years ago, on a Condor flight to Germany, an elderly Dutchman was arrested at POP with a few K's of cocaine sewn into the liner of his carry on. He was probably paid a handsome amount to carry it and was probably tipped off to the authorities.

Once they made a bust, that's probably it for the day. Chances are, someone with a far larger load went through undetected.

I'm pretty sure that Dutch guy is rotting in a jail somewhere.
 
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jd426

Guest
I wouldn't get nervous until he/she started putting on rubber gloves

And That is the moment when you tell them that you " Identify" as a Woman and you want another Woman in the Room...
if you gonna get violated, might as well flip it on them a little bit .