Canterbury Bulldog Josh Addo-Carr tests positive to cocaine for second time, faces police charges

Josh Addo-Carr’s NRL career hangs by a thread after he allegedly tested positive for cocaine for a second time and is now facing a $682 fine over the scandal.

His lawyer revealed the result of the oral fluid sample, taken after a positive drug wipe test during a roadside test on Friday, had also returned a positive result.

“Police informed our office this afternoon that the secondary test carried out by Josh Addo-Carr has returned a positive result,” his lawyer Elias Tabchouri told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We are dealing with the situation in conjunction with Josh and will determine a path moving forward in due course.”

Addo-Carr is not subject to the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy, which precludes players from taking the field when charged with criminal offences that carry long-term prison sentences.

“The club is offering Josh appropriate support during this difficult period,” the Bulldogs said.

“The Bulldogs are committed to following the appropriate protocols with regards to the player’s contract and CBA (collective bargaining agreement) and will work with the NRL Integrity unit, the player and his management team accordingly throughout further investigations.

“While we treat this issue with utmost seriousness, Josh’s welfare is our highest priority at this time.

“We will not be making any further comment until more information is available to the club. We request that the privacy of Josh and his family be respected during this challenging time.”

The 29-year-old has told Bulldogs officials he is adamant he did not take cocaine and was at a loss to explain the positive test result.

It was reported he had left the game between Souths and the Roosters, which he had been watching with club officials and other injured players at Accor Stadium, to go and buy a phone charger before he was stopped by police.

NSW police confirmed to The Nightly the oral fluid test taken during the test in Wentworth Point was allegedly positive.

Addo-Carr told Bulldogs officials on Saturday morning the first test was inconclusive, but he was in the clear as he was able to drive after the test.

“The driver underwent a preliminary drug wipe, which allegedly returned a positive indication,” the statement read.

“An oral fluid sample was obtained and sent for further analysis.

“On Friday Auburn Police received notification that the sample had been analysed and returned a positive reading to cocaine.

“Police have served an infringement notice for the offence of driving a motor vehicle with illicit drug present in oral fluid — first offence — on the 29-year-old man’s legal representative.”

The drama has come at the worst possible time for the Bulldogs, who are preparing to play their first final in six years.

Canterbury general manager Phil Gould said on Tuesday that Addo-Carr made the decision to stand down on Tuesday morning, after he explained to the winger the likely media circus and distraction his case would cause.

But Gould suggested the 29-year-old’s future at the club would fall under the spotlight should his secondary test come back positive.

“Josh is upset, he’s very upset. It’s very frustrating for him because he believes in his own heart he has done nothing wrong,” Gould said at a snap press conference at Belmore.

“He firmly denies taking drugs.

“We accept Josh’s belief of his innocence and we will support him through the process.

“Josh has done the noble thing by the team ... so he is not a distraction this week, which he obviously would have been.”

Canterbury has not yet confirmed whether the Addo-Carr would return should the Bulldogs beat Manly and progress to a semi-final against the loser of Friday night’s clash between Penrith and the Sydney Roosters.

Addo-Carr is widely regarded as one of the NRL’s elite wingers and bulked up for the 2024 season in hope of helping the Bulldogs recover from a dismal 15th-placed finish in 2023.

But the dual premiership winner has had his season interrupted by injuries, most notably a hamstring issue that thwarted his hopes of earning a State of Origin recall for NSW.

Bound for Wests Tigers next season, Jeral Skelton will replace Addo-Carr in the do-or-die match against Manly this Sunday - only the eighth game of his first-grade career.

Addo-Carr is contracted to the Bulldogs through to the end of 2025 on a deal worth an estimated $550,000 per season.

- With AAP