Ex-Arsenal player, Emmanuel-Thomas, charged in £600k drug plot

Former Arsenal footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with attempting to import £600,000 worth of cannabis through Stansted Airport.

The 33-year-old, who currently plays for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship, was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers in Gourock, Inverclyde, on Wednesday, with support from Police Scotland.

Emmanuel-Thomas, who started his career at Arsenal and has played for clubs including Ipswich Town, Bristol City, and Aberdeen, was transferred to Carlisle for questioning and has since been charged.

He is set to appear before Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, facing charges related to the importation of Class B drugs.

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The NCA said the cannabis was seized on 2 September at Stansted Airport, where Border Force officers discovered 60kg of the drug in two suitcases arriving from Bangkok.

Two women, aged 28 and 32, were also arrested and charged in connection with the seizure and are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court in October.

David Phillips, NCA senior investigating officer, said, “The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling – that includes both the couriers and the organisers.”

A spokesperson for Greenock Morton acknowledged the situation but declined further comment.

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