Court

Aussie couple facing drug charges to stand trial on Monday

January 25, 2019 4:42 pm

Yvette and John Nikolic

An Australian couple allegedly involved in drug-related offences had their charges amended by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions today.

Yvette and John Nikolic are alleged to have unlawfully imported illicit drugs and ammunition in Denarau, Nadi last year.

The final pre-trial conference for the Australian couple took place in the Suva High Court today.

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State lawyer and assistant DPP, Lee Burney says there are new developments in the case and they will be relying on the caution interview during the course of the trial.

Burney also informed the court that state has amended the charges and introduced two alternative counts.

The two are jointly charged with two counts each of importing an illicit drug with two alternative counts of possessing an illicit drug.

They are also charged with a count each of possessing arms and ammunition without holding an arms license.

The couple 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.

Officials also found $30,000 in undeclared currency, guns and ammunition on board.

Defense counsel did not challenge the use of the caution interview but requested if the interviewing officer could be present in court, as he would like to cross-examine the officer.

The two have been further remanded and the trial will start on Monday.