Footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in court after £600,000 of cannabis seized at UK airport

Greenock Morton footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with the importation of Class B drugs.

Professional football player Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been to court after facing charges for allegedly planning to smuggle drugs.

The 33-year-old forward, currently with Greenock Morton, was taken into custody at his residence in Gourock, close to Glasgow, on Wednesday and transported to Carlisle for interrogation.

The father of two did not respond to the charge at Carlisle Magistrates Court, but his attorney stated that he "strongly" denies any role in a scheme to smuggle drugs into the UK and is eager to prove his innocence in court.

This follows the discovery by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers of 60 kilograms of cannabis worth around £600,000 hidden in suitcases that arrived at Stansted Airport from Bangkok.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is a former international player for England's under-17 and under-19 teams. Throughout his career, he has played for several clubs, including Livingston, Aberdeen, Ipswich Town, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, Arsenal, Cardiff City, and the Thai team PTT Rayong.

In July, the forward agreed to a six-month deal with Greenock Morton, a team in the Scottish Championship.

Prosecutor Diane Jackson informed the court that authorities had apprehended two women, aged 28 and 32, after drugs were found.

She mentioned that they were flying business class to the UK from Bangkok, with a stop in Dubai.

The court was informed that one of the women is in a relationship with Emmanuel-Thomas.

Reports indicate that authorities confiscated four suitcases. Of these, two held approximately 29 kg of cannabis, while the other two contained around 31 kg.

Following their interrogation by the NCA, both women were accused of crimes related to drug trafficking.

They came before the Chelmsford Magistrates Court and were granted bail to return to Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.

Emmanuel-Thomas was taken into custody just after 8:00 AM on Wednesday in Gourock during a joint effort by the National Crime Agency and officers from Police Scotland.

Agents from the NCA discovered two suitcases that had come in from Bangkok, and they held 60 kilograms of cannabis.

He showed up in court in Carlisle since it was the nearest location to Scotland, where he was taken into custody.

The court was informed that law enforcement officials had gathered evidence from phone records.

Ms. Jackson stated, “This indicates that he did thorough research on flight options and routes, as well as which airports the women had arrived at. Reports suggest that this isn't the first journey he has planned."

Nathaniel Gadsby, speaking on behalf of Emmanuel-Thomas, stated: “He firmly denies any role in any scheme to bring drugs into the UK. He is anxious to prove his innocence in court.”

He stated, “Mr. Emmanuel-Thomas is a 33-year-old individual with a strong moral character and no criminal record.”

"He has spent his entire adult life as a professional football player, playing for several leading clubs throughout the UK."

In order to handle the matter, the district judge stated that he would consider Emmanuel-Thomas' lack of a plea as a plea of not guilty.

A legal expert mentioned that the accusation was serious enough to be handled either in a magistrates' court or a crown court.

However, Deputy District Judge Steven Jonas determined that the accusation was too severe to be handled in a magistrates' court.

Emmanuel-Thomas was taken into custody after his request for bail was denied.

In August, the National Crime Agency cautioned travelers coming to the UK from Thailand, Canada, and the United States that they could face imprisonment if they are caught trying to smuggle cannabis into the country, following an increase in arrests.

The agency reported that the quantity of cannabis confiscated so far in 2024 has already exceeded three times the total amount taken in all of 2023.

In the UK, the highest penalty for bringing cannabis into the country can be as severe as 14 years of imprisonment.

David Phillips, a senior officer at the NCA, stated, "We are actively collaborating with agencies like Border Force to focus on individuals involved in drug trafficking, which encompasses both the individuals delivering the drugs and those orchestrating the operations."

We urge anyone who is asked to participate in smuggling to seriously consider the possible outcomes of their choices and the significant dangers they may face.