Footballer denies plot to smuggle £600k cannabis

A nonrecreational footballer has denied engagement successful a crippled to smuggle £600,000 worthy of drugs from Thailand into the UK.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, is alleged to beryllium linked to the find of 60kg (9.44st) of cannabis astatine London Stansted Airport, Essex, connected 2 September.

Rosie Rowland, 28, and Yasmin Piotrowska, 33, besides denied importing the Class B cause betwixt 1 July and 2 September, during a proceeding astatine Chelmsford Crown Court.

The defendants would basal proceedings for up to 7 days successful May, Judge Christopher Morgan said.

Mr Emmanuel-Thomas, a erstwhile Aberdeen, Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal striker, appeared astatine tribunal via video nexus from HMP Durham.

He besides played for Ipswich Town betwixt 2011 and 2013 and aboriginal featured for Thai-based squad PTT Rayong successful 2019.

The footballer was sacked by the Scottish side, Greenock Morton FC, aft being arrested astatine his location successful Cardwell Road, Gourock adjacent Glasgow, connected 18 September.

It followed a associated probe by Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency.

Ms Piotrowska, of Purves Road, north-west London, wept successful the dock arsenic she had the complaint work to her alongside Ms Rowland, of Southend Road, Chelmsford.

They were besides arrested pursuing the drugs discovery, a erstwhile proceeding was told.

It was alleged they landed astatine Stansted having travelled successful concern people from Bangkok via Dubai.

A full of 4 suitcases were said to person been seized, with the vacuum-packed cannabis dispersed betwixt them.

Judge Morgan remanded Mr Emmanuel-Thomas successful custody and bailed Ms Rowland and Ms Piotrowska until a proceeding connected 6 January 2025.