Soccerladuma | Footballer Charged In R13.8m 'Drug Smuggling' Scandal

A professional footballer has reportedly been arrested and charged for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs worth R13.8 million into England. According to the , former Arsenal forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is facing stiff punishment for trying to smuggle cannabis into the UK.

The 33-year-old, who currently plays for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship, will appear in court in Carlisle on Thursday. Emmanuel-Thomas came through Arsenal's academy before making five senior appearances under Arsene Wenger, and later had spells at Ipswich Town, Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers, among other clubs. It is claimed the Border Force at the Stansted Airport found 60kg of cannabis inside two bags, which had arrived from Thailand earlier this month.



The National Crime Agency said two women, aged 28 and 32, have also been arrested following their alleged involvement in the scheme. Emmanuel-Thomas represented England at youth level as a youngster, but struggled to make the cut in the country's top division. His most successful spell came during his stint at Bristol City between 2013 and 2015, during which he contributed to 53 goals in 103 matches.

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