A former Ipswich Town Football Club player has been charged with attempting to smuggle around 60 kilos of cannabis through Stansted Airport. 

Officers at Border Force seized two suitcases containing drugs estimated to be worth around £600,000 which had been flown into the Essex airport from Bangkok. 

Officers arrested a man just after 8am in Gourock in Scotland on suspicion of orchestrating the attempted importation of cannabis.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, of Cardwell Road, Gourock, has since been charged in connection with the incident. 

The drugs seized at Stansted AirportThe drugs seized at Stansted Airport (Image: NCA)

He was remanded in custody and appeared before Carlisle Magistrates Court on Thursday, accused of importing Class B drugs.

The striker, known as 'JET', did not enter a plea during his court appearance, but his lawyer said he "strenuously" denied involvement according to the BBC.

Emmanuel-Thomas known as 'JET' scored nine goals in 75 games during his spell at Portman Road after joining the Blues for £1.1m from Arsenal in 2011.

However, he departed the Blues two years later to join Bristol City in a straight swap for Paul Anderson.

He also played for Queens Park Rangers and Thai side PTT Rayong, as well as across the border in Scotland for Livingston, Aberdeen and, currently Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton. 

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.”

Two women aged 28 and 32 were also 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.”