Former Arsenal Striker Charged With Importing C@nnabis In London

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, a former Arsenal striker, has been denied bail after being charged with importing drugs after ‘£600,000 of c@nnabis’ were confiscated at Stansted Airport in London.

The Greenock Morton striker, 33, who joined the club on a free transfer earlier this summer, was arrested at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18, after UK Border Force authorities discovered the material in numerous suitcases that landed in the UK on a trip from Bangkok on September 2.

According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), around 60 kilogrammes of the narcotic were discovered in two luggage.

The sportsman was subsequently apprehended by NCA officials and charged with importing class B narcotics.

The father of two was taken to Carlisle so that he could be questioned. On Thursday, he appeared in the city’s magistrates’ court before Deputy District Judge Steven Jonas.

On his attorney Nathaniel Gadsby’s advice, he did not enter a plea when the charge was read to him by the court legal advisor.

Mr Gadsby said: “He [Emmanuel-Thomas] does strenuously deny any involvement in any plan to import drugs into the UK. He is eager to clear his name at trial.”

The NCA also reported that two women, ages 28 and 32, were arrested at Stansted Airport and charged with cocaine importation.

Both were granted bail after appearing before Chelmsford Magistrates Court, and they are scheduled to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.

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 entered Arsenal’s youth program at the age of eight, although he did not make an impression in the first team after graduating.

He made his Premier League debut for the club in October 2010, a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. A month later, he made his Champions League debut against Shakhtar, losing 2-1, before departing Arsenal for Ipswich for £1.1 million in 2011.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli