Nikolics remanded in custody
JOHN Nikolic looked a shadow of his former self when he fronted Nadi Magistrates’ Court yesterday on drugs and weapons charges.
The 45-year-old former Melbourne horse trainer has been in custody for a fortnight since his yacht Shenanigans was raided by Fijian authorities and a massive drug haul was discovered.
Pictures of Nikolic show him dressed in casual clothes he might easily have donned on his catamaran as he sailed with his wife Yvette through the Pacific Islands.
It is the first time he has been photographed since the raid on Shenanigans on June 22.
After reportedly downing a toxic cocktail of liquid cocaine and methamphetamine during the raid, Nikolic collapsed and was rushed unconscious to Fiji’s Lautoka Hospital intensive care unit, where he had been under heavy police guard.
It is believed he was only discharged from hospital on Thursday morning, after making a remarkable recovery. A frail-looking Nikolic was escorted to the court cells by Fijian police and given a meal of chicken soup and potatoes.
Nikolic has been charged with importation of illicit drugs, unlawful possession of illicit drugs and failure to declare arms and ammunitions to a Customs officer.
On Wednesday, Yvette Nikolic, 42, faced the Lautoka High Court on the same charges. It is alleged drugs, arms and ammunition were found on the couple’s yacht.
According to the Fiji Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, it is alleged the pair imported 12.9 kilograms of cocaine and 34.4 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine tablets, with an estimated value of between $20-$30 million. It is also alleged they failed to declare a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol with 62 rounds of ammunition and a revolver with 41 rounds of ammunition to Customs officials.
The pair have been remanded, and are set to appear for mention in Lautoka’s High Court on July 17. Yvette Nikolic’s lawyer has flagged she will be applying for bail.