Operation Caudal marks an unprecedented deployment against the water theft in the State of Mexico, with simultaneous actions in 48 municipalities to dismantle a network dedicated to the extraction, hoarding, and irregular sale of the resource. The operation began at midnight with hundreds of agents and technicians in the field, following ministerial investigations and citizen complaints.
According to official sources, the plan was designed to cut the chain of illicit water trade without compromising regular supply. The State of Mexico Prosecutor's Office coordinated the operations with federal, state, and municipal authorities, with technical support from Conagua and CAEM, prioritizing the securing of critical points and the preservation of legal infrastructure.
What has been intervened and key figures
According to the consolidated reports, interventions were carried out 189 properties allegedly used for illegal extraction, hoarding or marketing, derived from 152 judicial search requests, of which 142 were authorized of specialized judges. In the field, they were located 51 wells y 138 illegal taps, in addition to the assurance of 322 tanker trucks (pipes) and 37 various vehicles.
As part of the immediate results, the following were recorded: 7 arrests, including crimes related to illegal water distribution, carrying weapons, and dangerous assault. Each point intervened was integrated into their respective research folder to prosecute cases and determine responsibilities.
Where the actions were concentrated
The operation was deployed in 48 municipalities of Edomex, with particular impact on urban areas in the eastern part of the valley. The interventions focused on areas where water diversion and overpriced sales impacted entire neighborhoods, causing deficit in official networks.
- Ecatepec
- Nezahualcoyotl
- Chimalhuacán
- Chalco and Chalco Valley
- La Paz, Coacalco and Texcoco
In addition to these points, there were proceedings in municipalities such as Atizapán, Cuautitlán and Izcalli, Toluca or Naucalpan, among others, where overexploited wells were detected and clandestine distribution networks.
How the network operated
The investigations indicate that a good part of the sites intervened were managed by groups with the facade of unions, who controlled the extraction, filling of trucks, and distribution through irregular charges. Among the names mentioned are USON, Alliance of Auto Carriers, Merchants and Annexes of Mexico (ACME), Los 300, Freedom, March 25, 22 de Octubre y Chokiza, among others.
In several properties it was found that water was being extracted from clandestine or overexploited wells without adequate treatment, applying only basic chlorination, which highlights the need for solutions such as Water decontamination with graphene nanorobots.
Which authorities participated
The operation was coordinated by the Attorney General's Office of the State of Mexico and State Security Secretariat, with participation of the SSPC, SEDENA, SEMAR, National Guard, municipal police and the technical support of Conagua and CAEMThese actions are part of the Coordination Table for Peacebuilding, headed by the head of the State of Mexico Executive.
The device started at 00 pm with parallel searches, inspections, and seizures. The operational instruction prioritized not affecting the operation of wells and official facilities while the illicit connections were intervened.
Supply guarantees and legal steps
Authorities insisted that the interventions do not alter the regular drinking water serviceIf any incident is recorded, the FALL will activate a contingency plan to supply the affected areas in coordination with municipalities and federal agencies.
The Prosecutor's Office stated that it will continue with the judicialization of the files, with criminal actions directed at the alleged perpetrators: leaders of organizations, public servants and individuals who had profited from the supply to the detriment of communities. The goal is to dismantle not only extraction points, but also the financial and logistical structure of the illicit business.
Reactions and social context
After the results were known, critical voices have been heard warning of the impact on the supply through Tank trucks in some colonies. In response, the institutions emphasize that the operation is aimed milking nets the system and sell at a premium, and that alternative supply mechanisms will be maintained to avoid affecting the population.
This device aims to cut off an activity that erodes the flow of official networks and abusively increases the cost of access to water. With detailed figures on properties, wells and taps seized, as well as pipes seized and arrests made, Operation Caudal is consolidating its position as a comprehensive blow to illegal extraction and sale of the appeal in the State of Mexico, with judicial follow-up underway.
