Canterbury’s first finals campaign in eight years has been rocked, with winger Josh Addo-Carr under investigation after allegedly testing positive to a roadside drugs test on Friday night.
Police have confirmed a 29-year-old male registered a positive reading to cocaine after he was stopped for a roadside test late on Friday night.
“About 10.45pm on Friday, officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command were patrolling Baywater Drive, Wentworth Point, when they stopped a Toyota hatchback for random testing,” the police statement said.
“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.”
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity told the
Herald Addo-Carr claimed the first test was inconclusive and that he was allowed to drive away after a second test came back negative.
Roadside saliva tests can detect the drugs ecstasy, cannabis, cocaine, and methamphetamine (including speed and ice).
Canterbury’s Josh Addo-Carr.CREDIT: GETTY
The sample is firstly analysed at the roadside, which takes around three minutes. If the testing device registers an indicative positive test, the person must go with the police to the station or hospital for further testing.
These second tests typically take about 20 minutes. If the person tests positive again, they cannot drive for 24 hours, and the remaining sample goes for in-depth forensic testing. That forensic testing, done in a laboratory, can take several days and police cannot lay charges until that sample returns a positive result.
This masthead approached the Bulldogs for comment on Monday morning. At the time, they were unaware Addo-Carr had allegedly returned a positive test.
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould took to X, formerly Twitter, before the police statement, to clarify the club’s version of events.
“In response to circulating rumours and now several media inquiries regarding Josh Addo-Carr,” Gould posted on X. “On Friday evening Josh was pulled over and subjected to a random roadside drug 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. 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.”
The Bulldogs are set to launch their own investigation to determine if Addo-Carr misled the club with the information he provided them earlier today.
The club will hold its annual awards night at Le Montage in Lilyfield on Monday night. Addo-Carr was scheduled to join his teammates at the celebratory dinner but has been told not to attend by club powerbrokers.
An NRL spokesperson said: “The NRL is liaising with the club.”
More to come
Police have confirmed a 29-year-old male registered a positive reading to cocaine after he was stopped for a roadside test late Friday night.
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