- Former Arsenal striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with importing drugs
- Approximately 60kg of cannabis, valued at £600,000, was seized at Stanstead Airport
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Former Arsenal striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, has been charged with importing drugs after “£600,000 worth of cannabis” was seized at Stansted Airport.
Greenock striker Morton, who joined the club earlier this summer on a free transfer, was arrested at 8am on Wednesday after UK Border Force officials found the drugs inside several suitcases which had arrived in the UK on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand, on September 2.
According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), around 60 kilograms of drugs were found in two suitcases.
The footballer, once described by Arsene Wenger as a player of “exceptional quality”, was subsequently arrested by NCA officers and has since been charged with importing class B drugs.
The 33-year-old man has been arrested by police and is due to appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Thursday in connection with the charges.
According to the NCA, two women, aged 28 and 32, were also arrested at Stanstead Airport and have also been charged with drug importation offences.
They were both granted bail after appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.
David Phillips, NCA Senior Investigation Officer, said: ‘The NCA continues to work with partners such as Border Force to pursue those involved in drug trafficking, including both couriers and organisers.
‘We call on anyone approached to engage in any form of smuggling to think very carefully about the possible consequences of their actions and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking.’
Emmanuel-Thomas joined Arsenal’s youth academy as an eight-year-old but failed to make an impact in the first team, making his Premier League debut for the club during a 2–0 defeat to Chelsea in 2010, before leaving the club to join Ipswich for £1.1m the following year.
Emmanuel-Thomas was 19 when he made his debut for Arsenal and had impressed legendary Gunners manager Arsene Wenger after being recruited for the north London club’s senior team.
“Jay is knocking on my door with all his might, with both hands. He has exceptional quality,” the former Arsenal manager told Arsenal TV Online in 2010. “He works very hard to be fit. When he is fit, Jay will not only be a good player, but a great player.”
“One thing is certain: he can score goals. He is a huge talent that cannot be given away to anyone, he has the right foot, the left foot… He is incredible in front of goal.
“This kid is an incredible finisher, both inside and outside the box. He has exceptional qualities, he has the build you dream of having. It depends on how far he wants to go because he has great potential.”
More news to come later…
