The 31-year-old stood himself down from the Canterbury Bulldogs' elimination final against Manly in 2024 after a secondary oral fluid sample came back positive for cocaine, subsequently accepting a $682 fine and a three-month suspension from driving.
The Bulldogs issued him with a show cause notice in late September of 2024 before sacking him seven days later for breaches of his playing contract.
He was also slapped by the NRL with a four-game ban and a $15,000 fine for bringing the league into disrepute.
A similar fate may await the veteran from Parramatta management after NSW Police allege a preliminary roadside drug test on Friday night also returned positive for cocaine.
A secondary sample is currently undergoing testing, with the club acknowledging the incident in a statement on Saturday.
“The Parramatta Eels are aware of an alleged incident involving Josh Addo-Carr,” the Eels said.
“The club has notified the NRL Integrity Unit and is co-operating with the appropriate processes, as well as providing welfare support to Josh and his family.
“Parramatta Eels will not be commenting further until the matter has been finalised.”
Addo-Carr scored eight tries in 23 appearances for the Eels this year, including in their Round 27 loss to St George Illawarra Dragons, and is contracted to the club through to the end of 2027.
A positive secondary oral fluid test would almost certainly bring the premiership player's decorated first-grade career to an end, the highlights of which include two title wins with the Melbourne Storm, three State of Origin wins with NSW and a Rugby League World Cup victory in 2021.
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
