(DailyChive.com) – The Gateway Hotel in El Paso, Texas, has become notorious for its illegal activity and has now been hit with a restraining order. According to local authorities, the hotel has operated illegally for six years, and in just two years, police received an astounding 693 calls about the property. Many of these calls were related to gang and criminal activity, specifically involving the Tren de Aragua gang.
El Paso County officials have taken action against the hotel, issuing both temporary and permanent orders to stop its operations. The El Paso County Attorney’s Office has stated that the hotel is a hub of “habitual criminal activity” and has contributed to the decay of downtown El Paso. Police reports show a consistent pattern of gang-related crime at the hotel, raising alarms throughout the community.
Recently, on August 23, officers noted activity linked to the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang. They spotted several people exiting a room with cooking fumes, despite being previously warned not to cook indoors. One individual had a tattoo indicating ties to the gang, further increasing police suspicion.
Authorities also suspect the hotel has been involved in illegal activities such as prostitution, drug use, and dumping of waste. Surveillance footage allegedly shows suspected gang members partying to the point of vomiting, all while children were present.
The hotel, built in 1903, has not had a valid occupancy certificate since 2018. In that time, it has failed at least three fire inspections, making the property even more dangerous. A violent assault that took place at the hotel in June further revealed the terrible conditions inside the building, with videos showing people partying, using weapons, and engaging in violent behavior in front of a security guard.
This incident follows a larger trend of gang-related building takeovers, not just in Texas but in states like Colorado. Local leaders are pushing for stronger measures to combat the growing threat posed by the Tren de Aragua gang.
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