Australian national John Nikolic

Australian national John Nikolic was sentenced to twenty-three years imprisonment with non-parole period of eighteen-years by the Suva High court this afternoon.

Convicted of smuggling drugs, Nikolic stood still in the dock showing no sign of remorse.

Forty-five-year-old John Nikolic was found guilty of two counts each of importing an illicit drug and being in possession of arms and ammunition without holding an arms license.

He imported cocaine and methamphetamine with an estimated value of $30 million and also had illegally had two pistols and 112 rounds of ammunition in his possession.

These items were discovered in his luxury yacht ‘Shenanigans’ at Port Denarau Marina in Nadi on June 22nd last year.

High court Judge Justice Daniel Gounder said that cocaine and methamphetamine are dangerous illicit drugs and the harm that these drugs cause to the physical and mental health of the users and to safety and well-being of the community is significant.

Justice Gounder said the arms and ammunition and the substantial foreign cash found together with the illicit drugs showed that Nikolic was in a business of dealing with drugs.

He also said that illegal drug dealing is a lucrative business and those who are in this business have no regard to harm it causes.

The High court Judge said the items were concealed and wrapped with a duct tape not visible to the naked eye.

Nikolic’s wife Yvette, also on the yacht, was acquitted of all charges last month.

The Judge said that Nikolic had turned off the vessel’s Automatic Identification System to avoid detection in Fiji Waters.

He also said that Nikolic did not show any remorse or offer any explanation.

Nikolic was sentenced to 23 years for one count of importation of cocaine, 3 years for one count of importing methamphetamine and 2 years for possession of arms and ammunition without holding an arms license.

The sentences are to be served concurrently.

#Australian national John Nikolic sentenced to 23 years imprisonment for importing illicit drugs. More on 7pm @FBC_News pic.twitter.com/mscUOHts4D

— Praneeta Prakash (@PraneetaFBCNews) March 8, 2019