I went across the border today (SENTRI lane) and asked the fella at the gate - I heard you cannot take aluminum cans, plastic bottles across, etc.
He said that is right.
I said why? Because the stores take a DEPOSIT and I want my money back.
He said it is a BUSINESS.
I said, oh, come on - that is STEALING. You are taking money as a DEPOSIT and I am only getting the DEPOSIT BACK. I am NOT gaining money - I am WASTING gas getting this stuff to you so it doesn't end up in the DUMPS. So I am out money! Now, I said, WHAT IS THE REAL REASON THIS IS HAPPENING!!!!!!!! What you are telling me doesn't make sense???
He said this has been on the CUSTOMS' books for a very long time that you cannot take cans/plastics across the border - they have been very lenient - until NOW!!
I wasn't going to let him get away with it - I said, WHY?
He said, well, they found drugs in the center of these large bags crossing the border so CUSTOMS is stopping it COMPLETELY - Oh, I said, since I worked with a criminal law attorney for over 10 years, I knew you were telling me something fishy.
So it is the DRUG BUSINESS that is stopping the crossing of the aluminun cans, etc.????? Pretty well, he said, that was right.
He said you can go to CUSTOMS in Otay Mesa and get the cans/plastics through that way. I said, Oh, geez, that means paperwork - and a cost involved??? Not worth it to me to cross with a bag every 8 to 9 months.
I would suggest anyone wanting to take cans/plastics across to check further with CUSTOMS and the SENTRI office to make sure you don't lose your SENTRI pass! I am sure if there are large amounts an organization is collecting to make some money, you can probably still do so if you go through CUSTOMS. But check first as to exactly what you have to do!!
BTW the Rosarito Theater Guild is no longer collecting cans and bottles
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