Footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has denied a cost of importing class B medication as he appeared in court docket accused over an try to smuggle £600,000 of hashish by means of Stansted Airport.
The 33-year-old striker was sacked by Scottish Championship aspect Greenock Morton after his arrest in September.
The previous Livingston, Aberdeen and Arsenal academy participant appeared earlier than Chelmsford Crown Courtroom by video-link from HMP Durham on Friday and pleaded not responsible to importing class B medication.
He’s accused, along with co-defendants Rosie Rowland and Yasmin Piotrowska, of the alleged offence between July 1 and September 2 of this 12 months.
Rowland, 28, of Southend Street, Chelmsford, and 33-year-old Piotrowska of Purves Street, north-west London, each additionally pleaded not responsible to the cost as they appeared within the dock of the court docket.
Emmanuel-Thomas, of Cardwell Street in Gourock, Inverclyde, was arrested within the city by Nationwide Crime Company (NCA) officers final month and was questioned earlier than he was remanded into custody.
The footballer, who wore a gray prison-issue tracksuit and was seated for the court docket listening to, has additionally performed for Ipswich City, Bristol Metropolis, Queens Park Rangers and Thai aspect PTT Rayong.
His arrest got here after the NCA seized an estimated £600,000 of the category B drug because it was being smuggled by means of Stansted on September 2.
The 33-year-old performed for Aberdeen and Livingston in latest seasons
Border Power officers detected roughly 60kg of the drug in two suitcases, which had arrived through a flight from Bangkok, Thailand.
A trial, estimated to final 5 to seven days, is because of happen on a date to be mounted, with an extra case administration listening to scheduled for January 6.
Choose Christopher Morgan remanded Emmanuel-Thomas in custody and bailed Rowland and Piotrowska till then.
He stated the trial may provisionally happen in Could.
