Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr allegedly returns positive cocaine test before return to NRL finals

Josh Addo-Carr. Photo / Getty Images

Josh Addo-Carr has allegedly returned a positive roadside cocaine test only days out from Canterbury’s fairytale return to the NRL finals.

Police pulled the star Bulldogs winger over around 10.45pm on Friday while he was driving in Wentworth Point, a suburb in Sydney’s inner west.

Addo-Carr is alleged to have tested positive to cocaine but the 29-year-old has not been charged, pending further analysis of his sample.

“About 10.45pm on Friday (6 September 2024), officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command were patrolling Baywater Drive, Wentworth Point, when they stopped a Toyota hatchback for random testing,” a NSW Police statement read.

“The driver - a 29-year-old man - was subject to roadside testing which allegedly returned a positive indication for cocaine.

“The sample has been sent for analysis.”

An NRL spokesman confirmed to AAP the league was aware of the matter and was “liaising with the club”.

But Canterbury football boss Phil Gould took to social media on Monday afternoon and claimed Addo-Carr had in fact returned a negative roadside test.

“The test results were negative and Josh was allowed to continue on his way. Happens to all of us at some stage on the roads,” he said on Twitter.

“It’s the police keeping the community safe. We appreciate their work. There is absolutely no truth to rumours that Josh had any issue. None whatsoever. Enjoy your finals football everyone.”

Addo-Carr’s alleged positive test came amid Operation RAID, a state-wide operation targeting traffic offences between Thursday and Sunday morning.

In total, the operation detected 470 alleged drug drivers from 10,885 tests.

A minor ankle injury ruled Addo-Carr out of the Bulldogs’ final game of the regular season only hours before his alleged failed drug test.

The Bulldogs lost 44-6 to North Queensland in his absence but hope he will return to the field against Manly on Sunday for their first finals match since 2016.