(CNN) – Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, a footballer who used to play for Premier League giants Arsenal, was arrested after the seizure of cannabis worth US$795,300 (£600,000) at a British airport, Carlisle court confirmed to CNN.
The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) reported on Wednesday that a 33-year-old man had been arrested that same morning in Gourock, Scotland as “suspected of orchestrating the attempted importation of cannabis” through London Stansted airport.
Emmanuel-Thomas, who also played for Ipswich Town, a Premier League team, currently plays for Greenock Morton, a Scottish second division club.
CNN has contacted Emmanuel-Thomas and Greenock Morton for comment.
According to the NCA, Emmanuel-Thomas was taken to Carlisle, England for questioning. He appeared in court on Thursday in Carlisle charged with importing class B drugs. He was refused bail and will appear at Carlisle Crown Court on October 18.
The NCA said in an updated statement on Thursday that Emmanuel-Thomas’ arrest was linked to the arrest on September 2 of two women, aged 28 and 32, after around 60 kilograms of cannabis were detected in two suitcases in the Stansted Airport who had arrived on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand.
Both were charged with drug importation offenses by the NCA and were released on bail to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.
“The NCA continues to work with partners such as Border Force to pursue those involved in drug smuggling, including both couriers and organisers,” David Phillips, NCA chief investigator, said in the statement.
“We appeal to anyone proposed to engage in any type of smuggling to think very carefully about the likely consequences of their actions and the potentially life-changing risks.”
The maximum penalty for importing cannabis into the UK is up to 14 years in prison, according to the NCA.
Emmanuel-Thomas signed a six-month contract with Greenock Morton in July. He had gone through the Arsenal academy and has played for other British clubs, such as Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City.
