Ex-Aberdeen player charged with £600,000 drug smuggling attempt
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas appeared at Carlisle Magistrates Court earlier
Former Aberdeen player Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged in connection with an attempt to smuggle £600,000 of cannabis through Stansted Airport.
The 33-year-old striker, who currently plays for Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers shortly after 8am on Wednesday in Gourock, Inverclyde.
He made no plea at Carlisle Magistrates Court and has been remanded in custody until his trial on October 18.
NCA senior investigating officer David Phillips said: "The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling - that includes both the couriers and the organisers.
"We would appeal to anyone who is approached to engage in any kind of smuggling to think very carefully about the likely consequences of their actions and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking."
Border Force officers detected roughly 60kg of the drug in two suitcases, which had arrived via a flight from Bangkok, Thailand.
Two women aged 28 and 32 were arrested and appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.
They were bailed to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1.
Greenock Morton said in a statement: "The club is aware of an ongoing matter relating to one of our first-team players which has been publicised by various media outlets.
"The club is currently awaiting further information from the relevant bodies and due to the nature of the situation, we will be unable to make any comment beyond this statement at this time."
As well as Aberdeen, Emmanuel-Thomas has played for Ipswich Town, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Thai side PTT Rayong.