From "huachicol" to "aguacol": dismantling of a network of flights of drinking water in the port of Mazatlan

Since last December, the authorities of the municipality of Mazatlan, a tourist port of the state of Sinaloa, started an investigation for the alleged theft of drinking water by the installation of clandestine faucets.

The investigations led to dismantle a network involving municipal officialswho have already been dismissed in so many cases, the authorities are relieving themselves of all responsibility.

There are at least 40 officials and employees of the Municipal Commission for Drinking Water and Sewerage (Jumapam)., who left their jobs, for their possible participation in this network of "aguacoleros", as called the mayor of Mazatlan, Luis Guillermo Benítez Torres.

According to surveys and local newspaper versions, the people involved have integrated a "milking water" network. C & # 39; is to say, they created an illegal supply system, including meters, that offered businesses and individuals the opportunity to pay for them and not to the treasure of the city.

These illegal operations have prompted many companies to connect to illegal firing and that there was no bill for 60% of the water consumed, denounced Quel Galván, former director general of the city council.

As a result, the Jumapam is in the red, so has an outstanding portfolio of 140 million pesos and an internal debt of 120 million pesos.

During the course of the investigation, thethe authorities carried out clandestine takeovers at the marodal stadium of Teodoro, in hotels located on Avenida del Mar and even at the Autonomous University of Sinaloawhere they checked that they were not paying for water.

The authorities have issued three notices to regularize their service and cover the corresponding costs, which in the case of the stadium, they added up to 700,000 pesos.

Since there was no answer, authorities cut off debtors' service. "Here we will not be covering anyone," said Mayor Benítez Torres.

"He was asked to pay and they did not accept because we are going to make the cut, because it's not a house, it's a business, a dealer of something that belongs to the town halland we will all have the right treatment, "he said.

As a strategy to end the aguacoleo, the municipal authority has gradually sacked officials who would be involved in this flight network.

In December, the first 5 workers left and Until now, they total 40.

The mayor said that next week, there will surely be more layoffs, but He still does not know if he will file a complaint to act legally against those who are involved.

"I'm not going for that, I'll get the resourceand that's what we're working on, "he said.

However, at a press conference he offered in early January, he felt that the "aguacoleo" is also a crime because it is a robbery.

"They lost sight of it's a crime, it's a robbery"said Benitez Torres, who at that time was baptizing this network "aguacoleros".