Footballer detained for suspected involvement in over $700,000 of confiscated cannabis at the airport.
On Wednesday, the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that a 33-year-old individual was apprehended earlier that day in Gourock, Scotland, under allegations of planning to smuggle cannabis into London's Stansted Airport.
This individual, known as Emmanuel-Thomas, has also previously played for Ipswich Town in the English Premier League and currently represents Scottish second-tier club Greenock Morton.
CNN reached out to Emmanuel-Thomas and Greenock Morton for their responses.
Following his arrest, Emmanuel-Thomas was transported to Carlisle, England, for questioning. He was taken before a court in Carlisle on Thursday, charged with bringing in class B drugs. The court denied him bail, and he's scheduled to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on October 18.
In an updated statement issued on Thursday, the NCA disclosed that Emmanuel-Thomas's arrest is connected to the September 2 detention of two women, aged 28 and 32. Approximately 60kg (132 pounds) of cannabis was discovered in their luggage at Stansted Airport, having arrived from Bangkok, Thailand on a flight.
Both women were charged by the NCA for drug trafficking offenses and were granted bail to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.
David Phillips, a senior investigating officer for the NCA, stated in the statement, "The NCA is committed to collaborating with partners like Border Force to identify and prosecute those involved in drug smuggling, whether they are the carriers or the organizers. We urge anyone approached to engage in smuggling activities to seriously consider the consequences and the severe risks they are taking."
According to the NCA, the maximum sentence for cannabis smuggling into the UK is a prison term of up to 14 years.
Emmanuel-Thomas joined Greenock Morton in July on a six-month contract. He has a background in Arsenal's academy and has also played for other British clubs including Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, and Cardiff City.
Emmanuel-Thomas's football career includes stints in the English Premier League and Scottish second-tier, raising questions about his involvement in the drug smuggling case. Despite his football prowess, his passion for the sport seems to have led him into troubled waters.
