Former Arsenal striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged following the seizure of cannabis worth an estimated £600,000.
The 33-year-old, who now plays for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship, was detained and questioned by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers on Wednesday after 60 kilograms of drugs were detected in suitcases that arrived on a flight from Bangkok to Bangkok. Stansted Airport on September 2nd.
He was arrested and will appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with importing class B drugs.
The arrest of Emmanuel-Thomas follows the arrest of two women aged 28 and 32 in Stansted. Both were charged with drug importation offenses and later appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court before being bailed to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.
The NCA has warned travelers from Thailand, Canada and the US that they face jail terms if they are caught trying to bring cannabis into the country.
The maximum penalty for importing cannabis into the UK is 14 years in prison.
Emmanuel-Thomas (centre) won the FA Youth Cup with Arsenal in 2009 (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
NCA senior investigation officer David Phillips said: “The NCA continues to work with partners such as the Border Force to target those involved in drug trafficking – this includes both the couriers and the organisers.
“We would appeal to anyone who is approached to engage in any type of trafficking to consider very carefully the likely consequences of their actions, and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking.”
Greenock Morton said The Athletics: “The club is aware of an ongoing situation. At this time, the club will make no comment.”
Emmanuel-Thomas came through Arsenal’s academy, joining the club aged eight and later captaining the side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2009.
He made a single senior appearance for Arsenal, an FA Cup tie against Stoke City in 2010, before leaving a year later.
Emmanuel-Thomas went on to play for Ipswich Town, Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers as well as spells in Thailand and India before joining Greenock Morton earlier this year.
(Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
