PROFEPA shuts down facilities over environmental violations in central Mexico

The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) ordered a partial closure of the Alas del Monte plant in Toluca after a worker spilled about 10 liters of vinyl acetate on 2 July. The chemical entered the rain‑water drainage system and was detected by its distinctive odor in the Totoltepec canal. Toluca firefighters pumped 12,800 liters of water to dilute the spill, and PROFEPA sealed the discharge conduit pending administrative review.

In a separate operation on 8 July, PROFEPA, aided by the National Guard, dismantled an illegal sawmill in the community of Tres Marías, Huitzilac, Morelos. Authorities seized 11,657 m³ of pine and oyamel timber and specialized milling equipment after finding the site lacked SEMARNAT authorization. The sawmill was temporarily closed and a criminal investigation is under way because the activity threatens the biodiversity of the Bosque de Agua and the water supply for Mexico City and surrounding states.