Josh Reynolds fails roadside drug test: NRL investigating Wests Tigers star
Embattled Wests Tiger Josh Reynolds has broken his silence after being pulled over by police with an expired driver’s licence before failing a roadside drug test to cocaine and methamphetamine.
Tigers
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tigers. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Embattled Wests Tigers star Josh Reynolds has suggested a “false positive” is the reason for his failing a roadside drug test on the way home from Sunday night’s loss to the Gold Coast.
As first revealed by The Daily Telegraph, Reynolds failed a drug test and was also found to be driving with an expired licence after being pulled over on his way home from Bankstown Airport on Monday morning.
Reynolds confirmed on Monday he’d returned a ‘false positive’ to cocaine and methamphetamine in the road-side drug test, but remained adamant he had nothing to hide.
The Tigers utility, who travelled to Brisbane for the Titans game but did not play, said he was then taken to Sutherland police station where a second test produced a negative reading.
Get your sport fix on Kayo ahead of live games returning soon - classic match replays, documentaries and the latest news & announcements. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“I couldn’t believe it. I literally am not gonna say what I said under my breath ... I was in shock, because obviously when something like that comes up: ‘What the hell’,” Reynolds told 2GB.
“But I was also confident because I knew that I’d done nothing. I had nothing to hide.”
Reynolds, who was released without charge, is now awaiting the results of a third laboratory test in what has been an incredibly tough year for him both personally and on the field.
Taking to Instagram on Monday evening to explain his ordeal, Reynolds wrote: “I arrived back from QLD with team via plane late last night (Monday morning).
“I was driving home to get some food and was pulled up with an expired drivers licence, which I was unaware of and an oversight by me.
“The officer conducted alcohol and drug testing. The alcohol test was negative.
“The roadside drug test was a false positive.
“I went to the police station and undertook the further sample for the higher level testing, which proved negative.
“I am told false positives on roadside tests are not uncommon. I was then released without charge.”
NSW Police confirmed that they pulled over a Mercedes on President Avenue in Caringbah at 1.30am on Monday morning, with the 2014 NSW Origin hero behind the wheel.
Police say Reynolds, 31, was failed a roadside drug test and was also issued with an infringement notice after it was revealed he had an expired licence.
He was then taken to Sutherland Police station, tested again and released.
Reynolds travelled with the Tigers squad to Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night but did play in the disappointing 28-23 loss.
On the way home, the team’s chartered plane was forced to late at Sydney International Airport because of wet weather, with a bus then transferring the players to their cars at Bankstown.
The plane did not land in Sydney until 12.50am.
An NRL spokesperson said in a statement: “The Wests Tigers advised the NRL Integrity Unit of the matter. The Integrity Unit are working with the club and NSW Police to determine the full details.”
The incident comes after a rough year for the footballer who suffered a public breakdown with his now ex-girlfriend Arabella Del Busso – who is alleged to have faked several pregnancies while they were together.
Police hauled him before the courts on a domestic violence charge related to Ms Del Busso but it was ultimately dropped. Just one week ago she broke her silence on 60 Minutes denying that she faked the pregnancies, but admitting to showing Reynolds a fake ultrasound as she was being “spiteful”.
On field, the veteran of over 150 first grade games is also struggling to find a way into coach Michael Maguire’s side.
Despite talk of a return to the Canterbury Bulldogs, where he played the first six years of his career, it is understood club officials baulked at his $800,000 salary.
The Wests Tigers also released a statement on Monday night confirming they were aware of the issue.
Originally published as Josh Reynolds fails roadside drug test: NRL investigating Wests Tigers star
Luai’s shock Wests Tigers call after GF win
Four-time champion Jarome Luai had a blunt reply when asked about his looming move to the Wests Tigers for the 2025 season.
Wests Tigers coaching shake-up as club legend returns
Benji Marshall will reunite with a 2005 premiership-winning Tigers teammate who is set to return to the club as part of their revamped coaching staff.