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.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here