Several dozen abandoned tires and a few concrete control booths are all that remain of the Mexican Army checkpoint in Venta del Astillero, about a kilometer from the entrance to the toll highway to Tepic.
Traffic moves freely now soldiers have abandoned the roadblock, set up several years ago in a bid to catch narcotics and weapons being transported in the state. An Army commander said that the checkpoint was more useful in identifying stolen vehicles rather than catching drug or gun smugglers.
The roadblock often annoyed motorists returning from day trips or holidays. Traffic could stretch up to three miles at peak times or at the end of Easter or Christmas holidays.
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