Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, a former striker for Arsenal, was charged with importing “£600,000 of c@nnabis,” which were discovered at Stansted Airport in London. He was denied bail.
The material was discovered in two luggage that were brought into the UK on a September 2 flight from Bangkok. Two suitcases containing about 60 kilogrammes of the narcotic were discovered, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The football player was arrested and accused of smuggling class B drugs after moving to Greenock Morton on a free transfer.
The father of two, Emmanuel-Thomas was taken into custody in Carlisle on suspicion of importing drugs. He is keen to clear his reputation in court and denied any role in any scheme to get drugs into the UK.
Additionally, two ladies, ages 28 and 32, were taken into custody at Stansted Airport and accused of importing drugs. Following their appearances before Chelmsford Magistrates Court, both were granted bail and are scheduled to appear in Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.
David Phillips, Senior Investigating Officer for the NCA, stated: ‘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.
‘We would appeal to anyone who is approached to engage in any kind of smuggling to think very carefully about the likely consequences of their actions, and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking.’
