Ex-Arsenal striker is charged with importing drugs

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 due to appear at Carlisle Magistrates Court on Thursday in relation to the charges.

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Two women, aged 28 and 32 had also been arrested at Stanstead 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.

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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, making his Premier League debut for the club during a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea in 2010, before leaving the club 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 Arsene Wenger after being drafted into the north London club's senior squad.  

'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. '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.'

More to follow...