MORTON FC have issued a statement after Jay Emmanuel-Thomas appeared in court accused of drug importation to the value of £600,000. 

The 33-year-old was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers in Gourock on Wednesday following an investigation supported by Police Scotland.

He was taken to Carlisle for questioning and appeared at the city's magistrates' court on Thursday, where he made no plea and was remanded in custody.

A Morton spokesperson said: "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."

Emmanuel-Thomas, of Cardwell Road, faces one charge which alleges drug importation and specifically that he was concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug - cannabis.

The NCA alleges that a £600,000 stash was being smuggled through Stansted Airport on September 2.