Court

Australian national John Nikolic found guilty

February 28, 2019 4:59 pm

Australian national John Nikolic has been found guilty of all charges.

In his verdict, High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar says from the evidence presented in court, it clearly showed that the accused had knowledge of the presence of illicit drugs on board the ‘Shenanigans’.

The Judge says Nikolic was in control of the vessel where the illicit drugs, arms and ammunitions and undeclared currency were found.

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He says that Nikolic also tried to halt the search effort by overdosing on drugs when the search was being conducted.

Meanwhile, earlier today three Suva High Court assessors have found Australian national John Nikolic guilty of all drug related charges.

After one and half hours of deliberation, the three assessors came with a unanimous opinion of guilty.

Suva High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar this morning also summed up the case.

Nikolic was charged after drugs, cash, arms, and ammunition were found on board his yacht the ‘Shenanigans’ in Nadi last year.

John is charged with two counts each of importing an illicit drug with two alternative counts of possessing an illicit drug.

He is charged with a count each of possessing arms and ammunition without holding an arms license.

John was arrested after authorities seized 13 bricks of cocaine weighing 15 kilograms as well as ecstasy tablets with an estimated value of $30 million from their yacht.

Defense has sought time until Monday next week to file mitigation.

The case will be recalled next Friday for sentence hearing.