An ex-Arsenal and England prospect has admitted to his involvement in a plot to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis into the United Kingdom.
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Around 60kg of cannabis was caught in EssexBrought to UK from ThailandEx-Arsenal youngster admits involvementFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who has had a journeyman career across clubs in the UK and abroad, was arrested following the discovery of 60 kilograms of cannabis at London Stansted Airport. The seizure, estimated to have a street worth of around £600,000, was made on September 2, 2024, after the drugs were found concealed inside suitcases that had arrived on a flight from Bangkok, with a stopover in Dubai. The National Crime Agency (NCA) led the investigation, which was described in court as "meticulous and comprehensive".
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Following the bust, 34-year-old Emmanuel-Thomas was taken into custody at his home in Gourock, near Glasgow, on September 18, 2024. His arrest prompted swift disciplinary action from his then-employer, Greenock Morton FC, a Scottish Championship club, who terminated his contract shortly after the charges were made public. Appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday, Emmanuel-Thomas admitted to his role in importing the Class B drug into the country. The court heard from prosecutor David Josse KC, who emphasised that the case had involved a deep and detailed investigation by the NCA, with a particular focus on the defendant’s digital communications. Two other individuals originally linked to the case – Rosie Rowland, 28, of Chelmsford, and Yasmin Piotrowska, 33, from north-west London – had previously pleaded not guilty to similar charges. However, charges were not pursued against them after data retrieved from Emmanuel-Thomas's phone failed to implicate them directly.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
The prosecutor, Josse KC, told the court: "They thought they were importing gold, not cannabis."
DID YOU KNOW?
Emmanuel-Thomas made just one senior appearance for the Gunners. He also featured for teams including Ipswich Town, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, and Aberdeen. His short-lived stint in Thailand with PTT Rayong in 2019 also marked a brief departure from European football.
