Andy Alashooty: North Sydney Bears assistant coach charged after 10 bags of cocaine found in Pyrmont hotel

The assistant coach of the North Sydney Bears is set to face court later this month after police allegedly found 10 bags of cocaine and more than $3000 in cash in his central Sydney hotel room.

Police responded to reports of an alleged drug transaction at a licenced premises on Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, at about 3.10am on Monday, September 30.

A NSW Police spokesperson said officers spoke to a 35-year-old man before searching his room, where they allegedly found 10 bags “believed to contain cocaine” and $3400 in cash.

The drugs have an estimated potential street value of $3850.

The 35-year-old man officers spoke to was later identified as North Sydney Bears assistant coach Andy Alashooty, from Bonnyrigg Heights.

Alashooty was arrested and charged with supplying a prohibited drug and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.

He has been granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on October 30.

Alashooty joined the Bears’ coaching staff at the beginning of the 2024 season. He previously worked in the pathways programs at the Parramatta Eels, Manly Sea Eagles and Asquith Magpies.

In a statement released when he signed with the Bears, Alashooty said he took “great pride in seeing many players I worked with now in the NRL”.

“The North Sydney Bears are a great club with a proud history so to be offered the opportunity to join the Bears and work with current and fringe NRL players was too good to refuse,” he said.

“The partnership with Melbourne Storm is also very appealing and I know that it will be of great benefit to myself as a coach and all our players.”

A spokesman for New South Wales Rugby League told The Nightly Alashooty has been stood down “immediately pending the outcome of a police investigation”.

“The North Sydney Bears have advised the NSWRL of an incident involving a club official on Monday,” the spokesman said in a statement.

“The official has been stood down immediately pending the outcome of a police investigation.

“Given the matter is the subject of a police investigation, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment.”

The Nightly has contacted the North Sydney Bears for comment.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the incident was part of the North Sydney club’s Mad Monday celebrations after the Bears played in the grand final of the Knock On Effect NSW Cup against the Newtown Jets on Sunday.

Newtown won 28-22 at CommBank Stadium.