Former Arsenal player faces prison time as hearing takes place.

Former Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas denies involvement in drug smuggling at Stansted Airport amounting to £600,000.

The 33-year-old footballer was arrested by the National Crime Agency following the seizure of a cannabis shipment.

Yesterday, the ex-Gunners player appeared in Chelmsford court facing charges of drug importation. He denied the allegations.

The maximum penalty for importing cannabis in the UK is up to 14 years in prison.

Last month, Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested in Inverclyde, Scotland.

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His contract with the Scottish Championship club Greenock Morton was “immediately terminated” afterward.

Two women are also involved in the case – 28-year-old Rosie Rowland and 33-year-old Yasmin Piotrowska.

Emmanuel-Thomas is a former player for the England U-17 and U-19 teams.

He began his career at Arsenal and subsequently played for various clubs, including Ipswich Town, Bristol City, QPR, Livingston, and Aberdeen.

The forward signed a six-month contract with Greenock Morton in July.