Career Criminal Jailed for Attempting to Buy Three Grenades on Dark Web
Dark Web Weapon Deal Foiled by NCA
Paul Christian Stellato, a career criminal with a shocking 36 convictions for 171 offences, has been handed a life sentence with a minimum of seven years behind bars. The 47-year-old tried to buy three fragmentation grenades via the dark web, triggering a nationwide investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA). Using the alias ‘cocaineking247’, Stellato ordered the grenades from the infamous now-shuttered AlphaBay market. He instructed the seller to deliver them to a flat in Brackley, Northamptonshire, under a fake name. The total cost? Just $370.48, paid in Bitcoin.
Explosive Evidence and Brazen Plans
Stellato’s messages reveal his twisted intentions. He once asked an associate: “If I add shrapnel will it do a hole in a house?” Trying to cover his tracks, he told the seller: “I blagged someone to get it delivered as they don’t know what it is,” adding, “No matter what, these are not for terrorism affairs, domestic protection only.” On 14 December 2016, Stellato collected the package addressed to “Richard Stewart”. Police arrested him that same day. He casually told officers, “If you need the parcel it’s left outside of my front door.”
Drugs, Searches and a Dark Criminal Past
Police also found drugs in Stellato’s flat, and a vehicle linked to him held £5,500 worth of cannabis. Northamptonshire Police uncovered his fingerprints on drug packaging and text messages confirming his drug supply role in Brackley. The NCA recovered his phone, showing searches for “AlphaBay market forum,” “darknet site police selling info,” and anonymous browser apps — proof he knew how to cover his digital tracks. This wasn’t Stellato’s first brush with the law. He’d served a decade for arson with intent to endanger life back in 1998.
Justice Served as Dangerous Man Gets Life
Stellato initially denied the drug charges but eventually changed his plea and was convicted last year for attempting to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life. NCA branch commander David Norris said:
“Stellato has a history of violence and is a very dangerous man as his long criminal record shows. It’s terrifying to think what he could have done with three grenades. We worked tirelessly with our partners – including the FBI – to keep these weapons away from him.”
Detective Inspector Adam Pendlebury added:
“Our investigation revealed his fingerprints on the drugs packaging as well as text messages that indicated he was involved in the supply of drugs. It’s concerning he was also attempting to buy grenades. Today’s sentence should reassure the Brackley community.”
Now locked up for life and set to spend the rest of his life on licence if released, Stellato is finally off the streets. But his chilling case sends a stark warning about the dark web’s dangers – and the kind of criminals eager to exploit it.
