Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over ‘significant role' in plot to smuggle £600k of cannabis into UK from Thailand
A FORMER Arsenal starlet has been jailed over a plot to smuggle £600,000 worth of drugs in the UK.
cannabis
at Stansted Airport.
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Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been jailed
Credit: Getty
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He was involved in a plot to smuggle £600k of cannabis into the UK
Credit: Unpixs
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Emmanuel-Thomas pleaded guilty to his role
Credit: PA
The drugs, which weighed around 60kg, had arrived via flight from Bangkok in Thailand.
It is believed he may have been the intermediary between drug pushers in the UK and suppliers in Thailand and was described as having a "significant role".
Emmanuel-Thomas, 34, has now been jailed after he pleaded guilty to fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of cannabis.
Judge Alexander Mills told him: "It is through your own actions you will no longer be known as a professional footballer.
Read more news
"
"You will be known as a criminal. A professional footballer who threw it all away."
Chelmsford Crown Court heard the drugs were brought into the UK by Emmanuel-Thomas' girlfriend Yasmin Piotrowska.
She had flown business class to Stanstead Airport with Rosie Rowland to carry put the plot on September 2.
Most read in Football
Emmanuel-Thomas was linked to the discovery by numerous WhatsApp messages, voice notes and pictures.
The court was told it was "apparent" he had recruited the women, who were cleared after prosecutors offered no evidence in their case.
He used his influenced as a professional footballer to sway the two women - offering them £2,500 plus a free holiday to Thailand.
After Piotrowska was stopped by border officials, Emmanuel-Thomas messaged Rowland to tell her to "delete everything from our chat if you can".
The footballer then travelled to Stratford, East London, on September 5 and replaced his mobile.
He was sacked by Scottish club Greenock
Morton
following his arrest last year.
Emmanuel-Thomas is a former
under-17 and under-19 international.
He began his career at Arsenal before playing for various clubs - including
The
striker
signed a six-month contract with Greenock Morton in July.
David Philips, NCA senior investigating officer, said: "Organised crime groups make significant profits by trafficking and selling perceived high-quality cannabis legally grown in the US,
Canada
and Thailand illegally in the UK.
"Organised criminals like Emmanuel-Thomas can be very persuasive and offer payment to couriers. But the risk of getting caught is very high and it simply isn't worth it."
Emmanuel-Thomas is the latest Brit to be caught smuggling drugs.
The Sun revealed how
A
Elsewhere, Brit Bella May Culley, 18, sparked a massive international search operation in early May after she was reported missing while holidaying in Thailand.
However, it was later revealed that the teen, from Billingham, County Durham, had been
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The footballer was arrested last September
Credit: Instagram
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NCA officers found the drugs in two suitcases
Credit: Unpixs
6
Emmanuel-Thomas previously played for Aberdeen
Credit: PA
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