EL PASO, TX — The Tren de Aragua gang is flooding across the border, leading to a rise in human trafficking, especially affecting women. Over the past few years, numerous reports have indicated that women from different cities are being exploited, with a suspected ringleader operating out of El Paso.
An accused prostitution ring leader for the Tren de Aragua gang, Estefania Primera, also known as “La Barbie,” has been arrested after allegedly running a major sex trafficking operation at The Gateway Hotel in El Paso.
According to a leaked Border Patrol memo, authorities arrested Estefania Primera, 38, on September 27 after she was seen with her five children. The memo revealed that Primera was an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who briefly managed the gang’s prostitution operation at the Gateway Hotel, which shut down due to human trafficking concerns. The memo continues, stating Primera used her children to store and sell narcotics.
Leaked memo on Estefania Primera from U.S. Border Patrol
Primera reportedly crossed the border illegally with family members near El Paso in August 2023 and was quickly released into the U.S. She informed Border Patrol agents that she was headed for Illinois and was placed under the supervision of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s electronic monitoring system, according to sources. She presumably ditched her ankle monitor and resided in El Paso.
Primera was arrested Sept. 27 outside the Sacred Heart Church in El Paso, which serves newly arrived migrants. It’s also an area where reports identified migrants with Tren de Aragua’s signature gang tattoos.
The alleged racketeer has tattoos covering her face and body as she shows off on her TikTok account, "Barbie Underground Official," where she seductively dances to Spanish music.
Left: Primera seductively dancing on a TikTok video. Center: Primera throwing up a gun in front of US and Texas flag. Right: Primera dancing in front of Bank of America corporate building in El Paso.
(Credit: tiktok.com/@barbieundergroundoficial)
Court documents state a victim reported to El Paso Police that Estefania Primera allegedly drugged her with fentanyl, causing her to pass out. When she woke up, she found herself being gang-raped by multiple men. In an attempt to escape, the woman tried to run, but Primera and other occupants forcibly brought her back into the hotel. Allegations suggest that Primera kicked and punched her for attempting to flee.
The Gateway Hotel, otherwise known as the Gateway to Jail, is located in downtown El Paso and has become a spotlight of concern after being taken over by the Tren de Aragua gang. Inside the hotel, surveillance images show wild occupants crowding the hallways where gang activity was happening.
Before authorities decided to shut it down, reports state that the El Paso police were called to the Gateway Hotel nearly 700 times for criminal activity. One guest even commented on the hotel’s Facebook page, saying, “There were strange things going on there.”
Outside of the Gateway Hotel in El Paso
(Credit: facebook.com/elpasoghosttours)
Surveillance footage inside of the Gateway Hotel
Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated at least 20 suspected TdA gang members were arrested as a result of operations in and around the hotel.
Tren de Aragua has developed a notorious reputation in the short time since it has been in the U.S. In recent news, members of the Tren de Aragua gang, who have entered the U.S. through the El Paso border, have expanded their criminal acts across the country. They are involved in gun and drug smuggling, shootings, and sex trafficking. Reports show that the gang is running forced prostitution rings in eight states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Texas, often to pay off debts from their smuggling operations.
Donald Trump brought the Tren de Aragua gang into the national spotlight by mentioning them during his presidential debate against Kamala Harris. His comments followed reports of armed gang members going door-to-door in a Denver suburb and taking over apartment buildings.
Estefania Primera is facing a second-degree felony charge after being arrested by investigators from the Texas DPS. According to El Paso County Jail records, she was booked on September 27 and is currently held in custody with a bond set at $200,000.
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