Former Arsenal and QPR star sacked after drug charge involving £600,000 seizure

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A former Arsenal and QPR star has been sacked after a brief spell.

Former Arsenal and QPR winger Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been sacked by Greenock Morton after he was brought up on charges of drug importation. The 33-year-old joined the Scottish club in the summer after a stint with Kidderminster Harriers, but his footballing career may now be over.

JET, as he is known, was arrested earlier this week by National Crime Agency officers. He is said to have had £600,000 worth of cannabis stashed in suitcases at a UK airport at the start of September, according to the court documents. He was arrested on suspicion of orchestrating the importation of cannabis through London Stansted Airport.

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He was detained in Gourock with Scotland Police officers playing supporting the operation, and he was later transferred to Carlisle for questioning. He was through brought before a deputy district judge over alleged drug importation and specifically the fraudulent evasion of prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug - cannabis. The incident is said to have taken place on September 2.

Emmanuel-Thomas appeared before the court and spoke to confirm his date of birth and name, no plea was entered, according to The Sun. Morton said in an initial 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."

The Scottish Championship club added shortly after: "Greenock Morton FC can confirm that the contract of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been terminated with immediate effect. The club will be making no further comment on the matter."

Emmanuel-Thomas came through Arsenal’s academy and made one league appearance before going on to join Ipswich Town in 2011. He later joined QPR in 2015 and went on to make 12 league appearance.

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