Former Arsenal footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged in connection with an alleged attempt to smuggle £600,000 ($750,000) worth of cannabis through London’s Stansted Airport, the National Crime Agency (NCA) announced Thursday.
Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, was arrested Wednesday morning in Gourock, Inverclyde, Scotland, in an operation conducted by NCA officers with support from Police Scotland. He was subsequently transferred to Carlisle for questioning and has been charged with importing Class B drugs.
The London-born player, who currently plays for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship, is scheduled to appear before Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
According to the NCA, the drugs were intercepted at Stansted Airport on September 2. Border Force officers discovered 60 kilograms of cannabis in two suitcases arriving on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand. Two women, aged 28 and 32, were previously arrested and charged in connection with the seizure. They appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and were granted bail pending their next appearance at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.
David Phillips, NCA senior investigating officer, 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 organizers.” He urged anyone approached to engage in smuggling to consider the potential consequences carefully.
Emmanuel-Thomas began his career at Arsenal and has played for several clubs including Ipswich Town, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, Livingston, and Aberdeen.
The NCA reported that the amount of cannabis seized so far in 2024 has already surpassed three times the total for the entire year of 2023, indicating a significant increase in smuggling attempts.
Greenock Morton, Emmanuel-Thomas’s current club, acknowledged an “ongoing situation” but declined further comment.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in combating international drug trafficking and the potential involvement of high-profile individuals in such operations.
