St George Illawarra winger Wes Naiqama has been charged with driving while disqualified after being snapped sitting behind the wheel by a press photographer.

The 24-year-old was photographed getting into a car and sitting in the vehicle driver's seat in the inner Sydney suburb of Surry Hills, with the photographs published by News Ltd at the weekend.

Naiqama has been suspended from driving until 2013.

Police said they had arrested a 24-year-old man and charged him with driving while disqualified.

Police allege the man was drinking at a cafe in Holt Street, Surry Hills, at about 1pm (AEDT) last Friday when he walked to a silver-coloured Toyota Prius hatchback, got in and drove off.

Naiqama has been granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on December 12.

The Dragons were expected to release a statement.

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