33years Old Ex-Arsenal Striker Charged With Drug Importation After £600,000 Cannabis Seizure At Airport

The Greenock Morton striker, and former Arsenal FC academy player Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, has been charged with drug importation after UK Border Force officials seized £600,000 worth of cannabis at Stansted Airport.

The 33-year-old, who joined the Scottish club this summer, was arrested on Wednesday at 8 am after the discovery of several suitcases that arrived from Bangkok on September 2, Mail Online reports.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that around 60 kilograms of the drug were found in two suitcases. Emmanuel-Thomas, who was once praised by Arsene Wenger as having “outstanding quality,” was detained and charged with importing class B drugs.

He remains in police custody and is expected to appear at Carlisle Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Two women, aged 28 and 32, were also arrested at the airport in connection with the seizure and have been charged with drug importation offences. They were granted bail and are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.

Senior Investigating Officer for the NCA, David Phillips, 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.”

Emmanuel-Thomas joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of eight but struggled to make a significant impact in the first team.

He made his Premier League debut in 2010 and left Arsenal for Ipswich in 2011 for £1.1 million.

Greenock Morton has not commented on the matter.