Josh Addo-Carr’s NRL career is under threat after allegedly testing positive to cocaine in a roadside drug test on Friday night.
The 31-year-old was sacked by the Bulldogs in 2024 following a similar incident, before rebooting his career with Parramatta last year.
His future is now uncertain again with one year remaining on his Eels contract.
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Addo-Carr was pulled over for a random test while driving in Newtown in Sydney on Friday night, before police allege he returned a positive wipe test for cocaine.
He is now awaiting the results of an oral fluid sample.
“The Parramatta Eels are aware of an alleged incident involving Josh Addo-Carr,” his NRL club said on Saturday.
“The club has notified the NRL Integrity Unit and is cooperating with the appropriate processes, as well as providing welfare support to Josh and his family.
“The Parramatta Eels will not be commenting further until the matter has been finalised.”
The NRL’s illicit drug policy states that any player who returns a positive drug test receives a suspended fine and must undertake a mandatory treatment program.
A second offence is met with a 12-match ban and fine, along with further treatment. There is an option for contract termination.
Whether police roadside tests fall under that policy is not entirely clear.
Addo-Carr had been included in Australia’s preliminary 40-man World Cup squad.
His selection in the final group now appears unlikely.
It is unclear if the World Cup games would count towards any ban from the NRL.
Friday night’s incident comes two years and five days after a similar off-field indiscretion, on the eve of Canterbury’s first finals game in eight years, led to the Bulldogs tearing up his contract.
The 15-time NSW State of Origin representative failed that roadside test and a secondary sample returned the same reading.
Addo-Carr maintained he had not knowingly ingested recreational drugs and had held faint hope he would be given a reprieve by Canterbury powerbrokers.
He had one year remaining on a lucrative deal at the Dogs.
Addo-Carr was handed a four-match ban by the NRL Integrity Unit and a $15,000 fine.
He was also fined $682 and suspended from driving for three months following the incident.
Addo-Carr, who previously won two premierships with the Melbourne Storm, has been a regular starter in his two seasons with Parramatta.
Police confirmed on Saturday they had pulled over a 31-year-old at 11.10pm (AEST) on Friday, and he had passed a roadside alcohol breath test.
“The driver underwent a preliminary drug wipe, which allegedly returned a positive indication for cocaine,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
“An oral fluid sample was obtained and sent for further analysis.
“The investigation is ongoing, as police await the results of the forensic analysis.”
— with AAP