Six Arrested in Vitória da Conquista as Operação Hydor Exposes Major Water-Theft Network

Overview

• The coordinated raids were led by the Civil Police theft unit (DRFR) with technicians from state utility Embasa in the Lagoa das Flores neighborhood.
• Arrests occurred at a high-end chácara spanning two lots, where teams found large-diameter illegal connections to the distribution system.
• Embasa’s forensic analysis indicates the diverted treated water supplied crop irrigation and was used to fill swimming pools.
• Authorities say those detained should face charges for qualified theft and risks tied to tampering with potable water lines, and additional people will be summoned to testify.
• Embasa reports that offenders branched ramals into a 300-millimeter main installed in 2023 to expand service to the area.