I used to go to Puerto Vallarta years ago to visit a friend who had a restaurant on the main drag downtown.
We were in his apartment above the restaurant when we heard quite a clatter going on outside. We went out on his balcony and saw an army truck coming our way, noise clattering behind it.
They were dragging multiple Harleys, chained in a row, down the cobblestone street. "Huh?"
Then we heard shouting and lots of shouting "mother(@#$%s!" as another army truck neared.
That truck was dragging 15-20 American motorcycle gang members down the street, handcuffed foot to the wrists of the next guy.
When my friend made inquiries, he found out the gang was causing trouble, so the army was dragging them out of town and sending a message, "you can't make trouble in our town!"
The REAL crooks back then were the federales, who'd seize American's luxury cars or take over concessions once they proved profitable.
One aspect of the federales was a positive, like in old Vegas: Don't F with tourists or we'll teach you a lesson. I felt safe walking around anywhere in PV.
