The government of Mexico state launched Operation Caudal to dismantle criminal networks stealing and illegally selling water across 48 municipalities. Authorities raided clandestine wells and tankers, detaining seven people and seizing hundreds of vehicles. The water was sold up to 59% above regulated prices, without proper potabilization.
Operation Caudal began in the early hours of October 24, 2025, coordinated from the Mesa de la Paz led by Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez. It involved federal forces such as the Secretariat of National Defense, Navy, National Guard, and National Water Commission (Conagua), alongside state and municipal security and water authorities.
The operations targeted key municipalities including Ecatepec, Nezahualcóyotl, Naucalpan, Tlalnepantla, Toluca, Cuautitlán, Chalco, Texcoco, and Valle de Bravo. Authorities intervened in 189 properties through 142 judicial searches and 47 inspections, locating 51 clandestine wells and 138 illegal water intakes. They seized 322 water tankers, 37 additional vehicles, and detained seven people caught in the act for crimes including illegal weapon possession, dangerous attacks, and offenses against public service and water distribution.
The State of Mexico Attorney General's Office (FGJEM) identified illicit trade chains run by social organizations posing as unions, such as the National Union of Syndicates and Organizations (USON), the Alliance of Auto-Transporters, Merchants and Affiliates of Mexico (ACME), Los 300, Libertad, 25 de Marzo, 22 de Octubre, and Chokiza. These networks, in collusion with ejidal commissariats and officials, extracted water from unauthorized wells or siphoned public networks, distributing it via unlicensed tankers, including 'salchicha'-type trailers.
The water was only chlorinated, without potabilization processes, posing health risks. The regulated price is 1,131 pesos per 10,000 liters for domestic use, but it was sold with surcharges: 59% in Ecatepec, 41.4% in Cuautitlán, 32.4% in Tlalnepantla, and nearly 10% in Toluca, with higher increases for industrial and high-value residential uses. The groups forced residents to buy only from affiliated transporters, marked with specific logos, engaging in hoarding, extortion, and dispossession.
The FGJEM is already pursuing criminal action against members and involved officials. The operations did not disrupt official supplies, with contingency plans from the State Water Commission (CAEM) and municipal bodies to ensure continued provision.