Former Arsenal academy player and English international Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has pleaded guilty to participating in a plot to smuggle ยฃ600,000 worth of cannabis from Thailand to the UK.
The 34-year-old forward, who previously played for Ipswich Town, Bristol City, QPR, and Thai club PTT Rayong, changed his plea to guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court on May 7. However, reporting restrictions on the case were lifted on Wednesday.
Emmanuel-Thomas, from Gourock, Inverclyde, admitted to โfraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of cannabisโ between July 1 and September 2, 2024. He had initially denied the charge in October.
He was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in September after approximately 60kg (132lb) of cannabis was discovered in two suitcases arriving at London Stansted Airport from Bangkok. The drugs were estimated to have a street value of ยฃ600,000.
Following his arrest, Scottish club Greenock Morton terminated his contract. The NCA described Emmanuel-Thomas as a key link between Thai drug suppliers and UK distributors.
Two other individuals, Rosie Rowland, 29, and Yasmin Piotrowska, 33, were released without charge after the prosecution presented no further evidence. Prosecutor David Josse KC said the women believed they were transporting gold, not cannabis.
David Philips, the NCAโs senior investigating officer, warned that criminal networks profit significantly by smuggling high-grade cannabis into the UK, adding that figures like Emmanuel-Thomas often lure couriers with promises of payment, but the risks are substantial and not worth taking.
At Wednesdayโs hearing, Emmanuel-Thomas appeared via video from Chelmsford Prison and requested to be physically present for sentencing. The sentencing date will be set administratively.
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