Influencer Javier Arias, known as 'Stunt', found with arsenal at home: the luxury raffles hiding a dark secret

It came as a real shock to the followers of Javier Arias, known on social media as 'Stunt', when his name started appearing in headlines this week for a reason far removed from luxury cars and million-pound raffles. The influencer, who went viral for taking a Cybertruck all the way to the town of Necoclí in Antioquia, was arrested by Colombian authorities following a search of his home. What they found inside had nothing to do with the prizes from his giveaways: a veritable arsenal of weapons and ammunition. Word in the corridors of the prosecutor's office is that this case could uncover a much bigger plot than it seems.

From dream raffles to the cells

Until a few days ago, Javier Arias was the perfect example of an influencer who had managed to amass a fortune thanks to his famous luxury raffles. His Instagram lives showed off high-end cars, wads of cash, and a dream lifestyle that attracted thousands of participants willing to pay for a number in the hope of winning a vehicle worth hundreds of millions of pesos. His masterstroke was announcing the raffle of a Cybertruck and displaying it on the beaches of Necoclí, a place where such a vehicle had never been seen before. That publicity stunt earned him even more fame and, crucially, more followers.

But the very life he showed on screen is the one that has now caught up with him. Following a several-day investigation, details of which emerged from internal sources close to the case, the Antioquia police raided his property and stumbled upon something even his most loyal fans couldn't have imagined. Far from the limelight and cameras, Arias's home concealed a small arms cache. Rumours in top police circles suggest they'd been tracking him for a while, but the discovery exceeded all expectations.

What did they find at his house?

The outcome of the raid left no room for doubt, according to sources close to the investigation. Officers seized a veritable arsenal which included:

• Large-calibre weapons, including pistols and rifles intended for the exclusive use of the armed forces, which has set alarm bells ringing.
• Hundreds of rounds of ammunition of various types, ready to be used, suggesting this wasn't just a simple collection.
• Several magazines and tactical accessories for the weapons, some of foreign origin.
• Documents and material now forming part of the investigation to determine the origin of all this equipment and any possible links to illegal groups.

The news has landed like a bombshell in the world of influencers, who are now scrutinising Arias's case closely. On social media, the comments came thick and fast: some remarked it was a review of his life nobody asked for, while others joked that the only guide he should have followed was how not to end up behind bars. The question on many people's lips is: how do you handle the image of an influencer who promoted luxury and ended up linked to arms trafficking? For now, the answer is being written by the justice system.

The raffle business under suspicion

What seemed like a money-spinner - selling numbers for high-end car raffles - is now under scrutiny. Authorities are investigating whether behind Javier Arias's giveaways there might be a money laundering scheme or, worse, financing for illegal groups. The fact that an influencer with such a large following was able to move a Cybertruck to an area like Necoclí, where the presence of armed groups is no secret, has raised serious concerns. A source within the Antioquia chain of command suggested that "this is just the tip of the iceberg".

For now, Arias remains in custody pending a court hearing to determine his legal status. His social media channels, where he used to post content promoting his raffles, have fallen silent. Meanwhile, his followers - and his detractors - can't help but wonder: was it all as real as it seemed, or did the luxury he displayed come with a price he'll now have to pay from a cell?

What's clear is that the story of Javier Arias 'Stunt' has become a case study in the dangers of believing everything you see on a screen. And also a stark warning: in the world of influencers, not everything that glitters is gold, and sometimes the most dangerous weapon isn't the one hidden in a drawer, but the one flaunted without shame on social media.