Morton have terminated the contract of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
The 33-year-old striker was today charged with orchestrating the attempted importation of drugs.
Officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) discovered 60kg of cannabis with an estimated value of £600,000 in suitcases arriving at Stansted Airport from Bangkok.
The professional footballer - who came through Arsenal's academy - was arrested at his home in Gourock at 8am on Wednesday morning and taken to Carlisle for questioning.
A short club statement reads: "Greenock Morton FC can confirm that the contract of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been terminated with immediate effect.
"The club will be making no further comment on the matter."
Emmanuel-Thomas - who previously played for Aberdeen and Livingston in the Scottish Premiership, as well as Ipswich town, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City down south - did not enter a plea to the charge as he appeared at Carlisle Magistrates court this afternoon.
His lawyer said he "strenuously" denied involvement in any plan to smuggle drugs to the UK and he wanted to clear his name at trial.
Prosecutor Diane Jackson told the court that two women aged 28 and 32, had been arrested following the discovery of the drugs in London. They were travelling business class into the UK from Bangkok via Dubai. One of the women is the partner of Emmanuel-Thomas.
Ms Jackson said: “It (phone evidence) shows that he carried out extensive research into flights and directions, which airports the females had been coming into. It is said this is not the first trip he has arranged.”
Nathaniel Gadsby, representing Emmanuel-Thomas, said: “He does strenuously deny any involvement in any plan to import drugs into the UK. He is eager to clear his name at trial.
“Mr Emmanuel-Thomas is a 33-year-old man, good character, no convictions.
"He has been a professional football player for all his adult life and played at a number of top teams across the UK.”
More to follow.
