Josh Addo-Carr alleged positive drug test for cocaine: Bulldogs star stands down from elimination final

Josh Addo-Carr has stood himself down from the club’s elimination final against Manly, as NSW Police reveal why they were unable to follow usual drug testing protocols with the Bulldogs star.

NSW Police have revealed that an urgent call-out to a nearby home invasion meant they were unable to follow usual drug testing protocols with Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr.

NSW Police released a statement on Tuesday afternoon confirming reports from this masthead that Addo-Carr was not subject to a second swab last Friday night because officers were called away to attend an urgent matter.

An initial test of Addo-Carr showed indications of cocaine, but he has not been charged as police await the results of an oral sample.

Addo-Carr has denied to club officials that he took any illegal drugs, but has stood down for the club’s return to the finals against Manly on Sunday in a bid to ease the pressure on the club and his teammates.

“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 a roadside breath test which returned a negative result. The driver underwent a preliminary drug wipe, which allegedly returned a positive indication.

“An oral fluid sample was obtained and sent for further analysis. At this time, an urgent call for assistance was received in relation to a reported attempted home invasion on Church Street, Lidcombe, about 10.54pm.

“A secondary drug wipe was not conducted as officers were required to respond to the urgent call. Auburn Police Area Command has reviewed the incident and is satisfied with the actions of the officers involved.

“The investigation is ongoing, as police await the results of the forensic analysis. No charges have been laid at this time.”

Addo-Carr’s lawyer Elias Tabchouri said that while his client didn’t argue with the alleged facts, he maintained that he did not ingest any drugs not prescribed by a doctor at any time.

“It is clear that Josh was pulled over and submitted to an oral drug test on Friday,” Tabchouri said.

“That test returned a positive result. This result surprised Josh as he states and maintains that he did not ingest any drugs not prescribed by a doctor at any time.

“As per legal requirements, a secondary test was taken that has been sent away for analysis. At some point, the result of this test will be made available.

Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr. Picture: NRL Photos

“In relation to this whole incident, there is a prescribed procedure that police must follow. Josh and police leave the scene after the second test was taken and prior to any other testing, leading to question marks in relation to any possible police irregularities, as reported by certain media outlets.”

Canterbury boss Phil Gould addressed media on Tuesday morning confirming Addo-Carr would be unavailable for selection.

The decision to leave Addo-Carr out of the team has emerged in the wake of the 29-year-old failing a roadside drug test last Friday night.

Gould also confirmed that Addo-Carr, 29, denied ever taking cocaine and underwent his own blood and urine testing, with the urine sample coming back negative, although he conceded the timing meant the personal testing results may not carry a lot of weight.

“Josh vehemently defends himself here,’’ Gould said.

“However, Josh has made the decision to stand himself down, to put the team first.

“I want to emphasise that Josh believes he is completely innocent.

“He can’t understand how he tested positive to this roadside test.’’

Gould revealed Addo-Carr’s version of events of the roadside test.

“In his mind he felt it was inconclusive,” Gould continued. “That was the word he used. Then on the second one the bloke said if you haven’t done anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about.

“He had rubbish on the roof of his car from the initial test. He said boss what do I do with that. He left the scene thinking I won’t hear about this again.

Phil Gould addresses media on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

“It is a distraction for the media, it is not a distraction for us. I think Josh has done the noble thing by the team. He wants them to get on and play well this weekend.

“Josh is upset. He is very, very upset. It’s is kind of very, very frustrating for him because he believes in his own heart that he has done nothing wrong. He firmly denies - firmly denies - taking drugs. We’re at a bit of a loss too. Until that sample comes out, none of us are going to know.

“We have had that conversation 100 times. I think in his thought when he left the scene on Friday that this would never rear its head again, that he wouldn’t have to worry about it. That is how he interpreted it. Josh has been pulled over, he submitted for the test, he did everything they wanted. He didn’t get a citation, he wasn’t booked, he wasn’t taken to a police station.

“For me, under the old system that sounds Ike what he is telling me is right. But it was never, ever said to him that these tests were negative.

“Under the CBA rules we have no reason to stand him down, nor do the league … until that last sample comes back positive.”

Security guards, including the side’s personal security, were posted at Belmore Oval early on Tuesday morning in a bid to keep a huge media pack from entering the venue.

Gould returned to Belmore Oval at around 10.20am after his meeting with chairman Adam Driussi before addressing the media at 11am.

But the winger could find himself in hot water after telling club bosses he drove home after allegedly testing positive for cocaine at a roadside drug test.

DOESN’T ADD UP: HADLEY QUESTIONS FOX

2GB’s Ray Hadley revealed further alleged details of the incident on Tuesday morning.

“I’d imagine he (Gould) isn’t too happy. Firstly, there is no third drug test. Under new rules, a test is done in your car through a saliva test – that was positive to cocaine,” Hadley said.

“Then, in a police van or car, you do a second swab test, a bit like when they test for DNA. That also tested positive for cocaine. That test is then sent to the laboratory and results come back in a few weeks.

“The police slap a 24-hour restriction on someone testing positive in both samples. If Josh Addo-Carr drove from the scene, as he said he did, he broke the law.

Ray Hadley (insert) has questioned the story of Josh Addo-Carr.

“Josh Addo-Carr told Canterbury the first test was inconclusive and the second test was negative and said a third test would be done at a laboratory.

“Had Josh Addo-Carr put his hand up and said ‘I’m in a bit of strife’ then Canterbury would be looking at the matter entirely differently.

“The use of cocaine is a very significant problem in society and it’s not just young people.

“Finally, his manager’s claim he had his own drug test (on Monday). That is nothing but window dressing and is just plain stupid.

Josh Addo Carr leaving his home in Belmore on Tuesday. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“Like alcohol, cocaine is out of your system in a short space of time, meaning a test 72 hours later is of no value.

“Well, we’ve got a meeting this morning with the chairman and the coach and I’ll have my recommendations about how I think the week should go forward,” Gould told The Today Show on the Nine Network.

“It’s a very, very important week. I’m very disappointed. We get thunderbolts in rugby league because that’s just the nature of our sport and the people that we deal with.

“Our club has done extremely well this year to qualify for the finals. We have a big week for the fans and the club this weekend and we need to make a decision today to work out what we’re doing with Josh for this week in particular, so the team can get on with the preparations.

“You’ve got to understand that it’s going to be hard for Josh to be able to concentrate on the game. It is going to be a distraction for the rest of the team.

“I need to speak to Josh again. Now, let me say this that whilst we have a positive test, Josh is vehemently defending himself, that he has not taken the drugs that he’s alleged to have taken.

“He is saying that he’s never taken it and he hasn’t taken it, and he’s confused as to why (he has gone positive).

“He actually put himself up for a personal blood and urine test yesterday, which I don’t know is going to carry much weight given it so long after the event. The test will be the second analysis from the police test.”

POLICE, GOULD RELEASE STATEMENTS

NSW Police released a statement to this masthead on Monday afternoon confirming a 29-year-old man had been pulled over last Friday night and allegedly returned a positive indication for cocaine.

“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 statement said.

Canterbury head of football Phil Gould.

“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.”

Addo-Carr is expected to receive the results of that second sample before Sunday’s game, but the uncertainty in the meantime is a distraction the Bulldogs don’t need given they are about to make their return to the finals for the first time in eight years.

”What confused us is that he was allowed to drive away from the scene, which as, I now understand (after) talking to senior place police, is not out of the realms of possibility,” Gould said.

The Bulldogs boss said he felt for the long-suffering club’s fans.

“Look, I feel for our staff and our sponsors and all our fans and everyone that’s buying a ticket to this week’s game,” he said.

“We’ve qualified for the final for the first time in eight years. It’s a big year for the club. We want to get out there and perform well on Sunday and that’s our focus at the moment, is to give the team every chance to prepare.

“We’ll look after Josh and whatever happens to him, and make sure he’s okay as well. But we’ve got some big decisions to make this morning.”

Originally published as Josh Addo-Carr alleged positive drug test for cocaine: Bulldogs star stands down from elimination final