Ex-Arsenal striker, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas arrested with £600,000 cannabis at Airport

Eric Patrick 

Former Arsenal striker, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who joined the Scottish club this summer, has been arrested for drug importation.

He was arrested on Wednesday at 8 am after a £600,000 cannabis seizure at the airport

The cannabis was discovered in several suitcases that arrived from Bangkok on September 2, Mail Online reports.

The striker has been charged with drug importation after UK Border Force officials seized £600,000 worth of cannabis at Stansted Airport. 

The National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that around 60 kilograms of the drug were found in two suitcases. Emmanuel-Thomas, who was once praised by Arsene Wenger as having "outstanding quality," was detained and charged with importing class B drugs. 

He remains in police custody and is expected to appear at Carlisle Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Two women, aged 28 and 32, were also arrested at the airport in connection with the seizure and have been charged with drug importation offences. They were granted bail and are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.

Senior Investigating Officer for the NCA, David Phillips, stated: "The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling – that includes both the couriers and the organizers."

Emmanuel-Thomas joined Arsenal's academy at the age of eight but struggled to make a significant impact in the first team. 

He made his Premier League debut in 2010 and left Arsenal for Ipswich in 2011 for £1.1 million.

Greenock Morton has not commented on the matter.