Former Arsenal striker is charged with importing drugs after £600,000 of cannabis is seized at Stansted Airport

Former Arsenal striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, has been charged with importing drugs after ‘£600,000 of cannabis’ was seized at Stansted Airport.

The Greenock Morton striker, who joined the club earlier this summer on a free transfer, was arrested at 8am on Wednesday after UK Border Force officials found the substance inside several suitcases which had arrived in the United Kingdom on a flight from Bangkok on September 2.

According to the National Crime Agency (NCA) around 60 kilograms of the drug were found in two suitcases.  

NCA officers subsequently detained the footballer – who was once described by Arsene Wenger as having ‘outstanding quality’ – and has since been charged with importing class B drugs. 

The 33-year-old has been held in police custody and is expected to appear at Carlisle Magistrates Court on Thursday in relation to the charges. Mail Sport has contacted Greenock Morton, who have not commented on the matter. 

Former Arsenal striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged in connection with importing cannabis 

Approximately £600,000 worth of Cannabis was seized at Stansted Airport in two suitcases

Two women were also arrested in connection with the seizure of the drugs, which are said to have weighed around 60kgs

Two women, aged 28 and 32 had also been arrested at Stansted Airport, according to the NCA, and were also charged with drug importation offences. 

Both were issued bail after appearing before Chelmsford Magistrates Court and are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.

Senior Investigating Officer for the NCA, David Phillips, 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.

‘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.’

Emmanuel-Thomas joined Arsenal’s youth academy when he was eight years old but failed to have an impact in the first-team after graduating from the Gunners’ academy.

He made his Premier League debut for the club during a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea in 2010, before leaving Arsenal to join Ipswich for £1.1million the following year. 

Emmanuel-Thomas was 19 when he made his debut for Arsenal and had notably impressed legendary Gunners manager Wenger after being drafted into the north London club’s senior squad.  

Emmanuel-Thomas joined Arsenal at age eight and went on to make his debut for the club in 2010, before joining Ipswich a year later

The 33-year-old has posted several pictures of himself on Instagram, enjoying holidays around the world, including to the Renaissance Pattaya Resort in Thailand (pictured) 

Emmanuel-Thomas was also once described by Arsene Wenger as being having ‘outstanding quality’ and had ‘big potential’ 

During his professional career, the footballer also played for Bristol City, QPR, MK Dons and Gillingham

‘Jay is knocking very hard on my door – with two hands. He has outstanding quality,’ the ex-Arsenal boss told Arsenal TV Online back in 2010, per ESPN. ‘He works very hard to get his fitness right. When his fitness is right, Jay will be not only a good player but a great player.

‘One thing is for sure – he can score goals. That is a massive talent you cannot give to people, his right foot, left foot, he is unbelievable in front of goal.

‘This guy is an unbelievable finisher, inside and outside of the box. He has outstanding qualities, he has the build you dream to have. It is down to how far he wants to go because he has big potential.’

After spells at Bristol city, QPR and Gillingham, the 33-year-old left the UK to play for Thailand side PTT Rayong FC. But Emmanuel-Thomas would later return to the United Kingdom and in recent years, has played for Livingston, Aberdeen and Kidderminster. 

More to follow…