Former Arsenal and Ipswich Town forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged following his arrest by Scotland’s National Crime Agency (NCA) in relation to a seizure of 60 kg of cannabis valued at £600,000 ($793,620) at Stansted Airport.
The 33-year-old, currently playing for Scottish second division club Greenock Morton, was taken into custody by NCA officers on Wednesday during an operation in cooperation with Police Scotland.
The NCA announced that Emmanuel-Thomas, residing on Cardwell Road in Gourock, was questioned after the illegal drugs were discovered in suitcases by Border Force officers on September 2.
He faces charges of importing class B drugs and has been remanded in custody, with an appearance expected at Carlisle Magistrates Court later today.
Emmanuel-Thomas, who rose through the ranks at Arsenal, has had limited first-team opportunities at the club, making just five appearances. He has also played for Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers.
Earlier this month, two women, aged 28 and 32, were arrested at Stansted Airport following the discovery of the same amount of cannabis in luggage arriving from Bangkok.