English footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested in Scotland on Wednesday following a drug bust valued at nearly $800,000 (£600,000).
According to Sky News, the former Arsenal player was detained by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers on suspicion of orchestrating an attempt to smuggle cannabis into the UK from Thailand via Stansted Airport.
Emmanuel-Thomas, who has played for several clubs in England and Scotland—including Ipswich Town, QPR, Cardiff City, and Aberdeen—is currently signed with Greenock Morton in western Scotland. He also represented England at the youth level.
A spokesperson for Greenock Morton acknowledged the situation, stating that the club is aware of an “ongoing situation,” but declined to provide further comments on the case.
The drug operation involved the seizure of cannabis at Stansted Airport, leading to the arrest of two women in connection with the smuggling attempt.
Following his arrest at his residence near Glasgow, Emmanuel-Thomas was transferred to Carlisle for questioning and has since been formally charged. He is expected to appear before Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, facing accusations of importing Class B drugs.
The illegal substance was reportedly discovered by Border Force officers at Stansted, who found 60 kilograms of cannabis concealed in two suitcases that had arrived from Bangkok.
This incident adds to the growing tally of cannabis seizures by the authorities this year, already surpassing the total amount confiscated in 2023.
David Phillips, the NCA’s 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. We urge anyone approached to engage in smuggling to think very carefully about the potential consequences of their actions and the life-changing risks they are taking.”
In the UK, the maximum penalty for cannabis importation is up to 14 years in prison, highlighting the serious legal repercussions associated with drug smuggling.
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