“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
Members of the criminal cells known as Los Mayas and La Chokiza, which operate primarily in Ecatepec, were arrested this Monday as part of the second phase of Operation Caudal in the State of Mexico.
The operation continues to focus on dismantling networks dedicated to the illegal control of water trucks in 48 municipalities of the state, and with these arrests, the number of priority targets secured in this current phase has reached five.
The Attorney General's Office of the State of Mexico confirmed the arrest of Juan Manuel N., alias El Maya, identified as the leader of the group that calls itself Somos Mayas Somos Fuertes (We Are Mayas, We Are Strong) or Los Mayas, and which has also been identified as a shock group for the Union of National Unions and Organizations (USON).
Authorities have placed him at the center of route control activities in Ecatepec, Acolman, and Coacalco, where he allegedly used aggression, extortion, and impersonating law enforcement to operate unlicensed tanker trucks and subdue drivers who refused to pay protection money.
During the arrest, authorities seized handguns, ammunition, narcotics, a high-end SUV, a compact car, and clothing used to impersonate members of law enforcement agencies, as well as identifications associated with the group.
Furthermore, the Prosecutor's Office links him to staged collisions, shootings targeting drivers, and kidnappings, which were allegedly used to maintain control of routes and supply points.
Member of La Chokiza Arrested
In the same operation, Ricardo N., identified as a member of the cell known as La Chokiza, was arrested. This cell is accused of extortion and assaults against tanker truck drivers in Ecatepec.
Authorities have information on the tactics used by this group to impose extortion fees and regain control of routes through threats with firearms and direct attacks.
Transfer for Legal Security
Although “El Maya” was arrested in Ecatepec, authorities decided to transfer him to the Santiaguito prison in Almoloya de Juárez to ensure his legal security, given past cases in which members of these groups have been released by local judges. This measure aims to secure the ongoing investigation into the extortion case.
Five Arrested in the Second Phase
The arrests made between Friday and Monday bring the total to five high-priority targets apprehended in this phase.
Among them are Christian Jesús N., alias Gimy and also alias Jimmy, the sixth councilman in Chalco and identified as the leader of the self-proclaimed October 22nd Union; as well as Guillermo N. and Juan N., considered key operatives of organizations that used union fronts to illegally tap into official water connections, divert water, and sell it via unlicensed tanker trucks.
These arrests add to the map that authorities have compiled to dismantle the networks profiting from the illicit extraction and distribution of water.
Operation Caudal is a state-level deployment aimed at dismantling criminal structures linked to water theft.
Its first phase resulted in the seizure of wells, illegal connections, and tanker trucks, revealing the sources of funding used by these groups and leading to the second phase, focused on capturing their leaders and key operatives.
Source: El Sol de Toluca
