Criminal activity and law enforcement in Ecatepec

Law enforcement operations in Ecatepec, Mexico, have targeted various criminal activities, ranging from vehicle theft to organized extortion and drug trafficking.

In August, a coordinated raid involving the Navy and Metropolitan Police led to the recovery of a stolen official vehicle belonging to the Jaltenco water organization, ODAPAST. Authorities tracked the vehicle via GPS to a location where they seized a signal jammer, numerous stolen auto parts, and several vehicles with mismatched or stolen license plates.

By September, investigations shifted toward a criminal network operating around the Central de Abasto. This group utilized unions, specifically the Unión de Sindicatos y Organizaciones Nacionales (USON) and COTRAMEX, as a facade for extortion and drug micro-trafficking. The operation resulted in the identification of ten individuals for prosecution, including a leader known as “Coronel.” Seized assets included six properties—such as a law firm and a school—along with 20 vehicles, livestock, and agricultural machinery.