Ex-Arsenal star pleads guilty to smuggling 60kg of cannabis into the UK

Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who made 5 first team appearances for the North London side, has admitted his involvement in a plot to smuggle 60kg of cannabis into the country from Thailand.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas playing for Arsenal

After a 'thorough investigation' by the NCA, it was found that Emmanuel-Thomas had duped his girlfriend and her friend into smuggling the drugs for him, leading them to believe they were importing gold.

The women were stopped by Border Force at Stansted Airport on the 2nd September 2024, and were found to have four suitcases containing cannabis. 

NCA picture of the suspected bust

Emmanuel-Thomas was subsequently arrested on the 18th of that month and, after pleading guilty to the offence in May, will face sentencing at a later date.