Overview
- State prosecutors detained Ricardo “N”, identified with La Chokiza, for allegedly owning illegal tankers and running clandestine taps in Ecatepec, with conflicting reports on whether he was moved to a federal or a state prison.
- Juan Manuel “N” alias “El Maya,” alleged head of Los Mayas, was arrested in actions tied to the crackdown, and authorities seized firearms, vehicles, communications gear and apparel resembling municipal police uniforms.
- Authorities say Los Mayas operated illegal tanker routes in Acolman, Coacalco and Ecatepec, while prior arrests in the sweep included Christian Jesús “N” and Guillermo “N” linked to the Sindicato 22 de Octubre.
- Operation Caudal deployed federal, state and local forces across 48 municipalities for 72 hours, intervening in 189 properties, locating 51 wells and 138 clandestine taps, and seizing 322 tankers and 37 other vehicles.
- Investigators report inflated pricing for illicit deliveries—about 2,087.67 pesos for a 10,000‑liter tanker in Ecatepec versus a regular 1,131 pesos—and say the water was only chlorinated rather than made potable, with nine people detained including two police officers and two officials.