Mexican authorities shut down illegal water wells and seize trucks in Puebla

Federal and state agencies in Puebla dismantled an illegal underground water extraction operation that supplied up to 40 litres per second – enough to serve about 35,000 residents. The raid, coordinated by Conagua with the National Guard, police, and the army, secured ten water‑truck tanks and confiscated a network of pipelines and pumps at a site in the Santa María area of San Pablo Xochimehuacán. Four operators were detained on the spot.

In a related action in San Felipe Hueyotlipan, authorities closed a clandestine well and seized roughly 30 additional water‑truck tanks used to sell the stolen water. Residents protested, fearing reduced water access, while officials noted the operation had boosted local water volumes. The crackdown is part of a broader effort that has now closed seven illegal extraction points in the state.