Yeah, I got robbed by the cops down there. Just a straight up: empty your pockets, thanks for the cash, enjoy your vacation. Very professional. We are outraged by this, but in the USA the taxman gets way more without even the personal touch!
The last time I went down there (about 10 years ago), to Rosarito Beach from SoCal I had the Mazda MPV filled up with wifey, three kids and a mean looking dog. Crossing the border the Federales pulled us over and asked me to empty the van. He was looking for a payoff and I wouldn't oblige, so he started to look into the van and our mutt bared her teeth and gave a little growl.
He let us go and we were never bothered again, but when we got back I had the trots, REAL BAD for about a month. I hadn't had any water, salad or anything else native so I must have picked it up from bugs or something. We've been down there many times and also to Acalpulco, Matzalan, Mexico City, etc. We are NEVER going back until it's part of the Confederacy.