SPECIAL REPORT: The raitero bust operation
Karina Bazarte
Karina Bazarte investigates the risks passengers take when entering rides from “raiteros.”
CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – They call them “raiteros,” a Spanish slang word meaning a person who gives rides. The community of Calexico says it’s a big problem that needs to be fixed.
Raiteros usually wait by the Port of Entry ready to provide a ride to whoever needs to get from Point A to Point B.
Usually you would think this is a kind gesture, but what you don’t know are the risks a passenger and even the driver are putting themselves into.
That’s because in the state of California, it’s illegal to sell or offer and negotiate transportation without a certificate or a permit.
“The truth is that it feels helpless because it is a battle that has been going on for many years,” said Miguel Hernandez, a taxi driver in Calexico.
Hernandez has been a taxi driver three years, and says it feels like there isn’t a solution to a problem that started 30 years ago.
“The calls that they take from us – they are also calling locally not only calls to take them to El Centro, They take locals. They don’t have permits and they are taking our jobs,” said Hernandez.
In the state of California, it’s illegal to sell or offer and negotiate transportation without a certificate or a permit.
Police say there’s been cases were raiteros negotiated a high price and left a person without money and not at their requested destination. Not only that, the driver can also be at risk.
“We have already had incidents where the driver is being taken for their money and robbed at gunpoint,” said Officer Nicolas Monninger with the Calexico Police Department (CPD).
According to the state of California, if caught for illegal transportation, you can be charged with an infraction and fined up to $500 or even serve jail time.