Australian Horse Trainer Gets 23-Year Jail Sentence in Fiji

An Australian horse trainer, John Nikolic has been sentenced for 23-years in jail after being found guilty of importing cocaine into Fiji on his luxury yacht the Shenanigans.

Nikolic and his wife Yvette were arrested by Fijian authorities following the discovery of two guns and $A20 million worth of drugs on their yacht in Port Denarau in June 2018. During the trial, the court heard that the couple had been travelling across the Pacific with their last stop being Colombia. On their way back home to the Gold Coast in Australia, they stopped in Fiji and this drew the attention of the authorities. A raid ensued and 10 blocks of cocaine were found. The court also heard that Nikolic attempted to take his own life in an overdose. His lawyers also brought to fore that he had tested positive for a gene that causes the degenerative Huntington's disease, and was at risk of developing it.

Yvette was acquitted of all charges, while Nikolic was found guilty of illicit drug importation, possession and failure to declare arms and ammunition to a customs officer.