By Perry Duffin
A coach for the North Sydney Bears has been charged with cocaine dealing after police searched his hotel room on Sydney Harbour.
It comes after his boss was stood down in an unrelated betting scandal.
Andy Alashooty of the North Sydney Bears has been charged with cocaine dealing.
NSW Police allege they were alerted to a drug deal at a Pyrmont venue about 3am on Monday. The Bears played in the NSW Cup grand final on Sunday, losing 28-22 to the Newtown Jets.
Officers say they spoke to Andy Alashooty, 35, and searched his hotel room where they allegedly found 10 bags of cocaine. They also allegedly discovered $3400 in cash.
“The drugs have an estimated potential street value of $3850,” NSW Police said in a statement.
Alashooty, from Bonnyrigg Heights, was charged with supplying prohibited an indictable quantity of cocaine, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Alashooty was announced as NSW Cup Assistant Coach for the Bears earlier for the 2024 season.
He had worked with the Parramatta Eels, Manly Sea Eagles and Asquith Magpies, the Bears’ announcement said.
“It’s personally very satisfying to contribute to the development of a player, both on and off the field, and I take great pride in seeing many players I worked with now in the NRL,” Alashooty said at the time.
Alashooty was announced as assistant coach alongside head coach Pat Weisner, who in late August was deregistered after allegedly attempting to wager on the outcome of rugby league matches.
Weisner was accused of trying to bet on the outcome of the South Sydney-Canberra and Roosters-Blacktown NSW Cup games, as well as an NRLW market.
The attempted bet was caught and rejected by Tabcorp.
Alashooty was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 30 October 2024.
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