Nikoline Gjergji and Vasil Gjergji charged with trafficking drugs

An overseas couple in their 60s have found themselves in hot water after they were charged with trafficking 40kg of drugs in Adelaide’s west.

A couple in their 60s are facing deportation after they were allegedly found trafficking 40kg of drugs in Adelaide’s west last month.

Nikoline Gjergji, 62, and Vasil Gjergji, 67, appeared via video in the Port Adelaide Magistrates court on Friday, making a second application for bail.

Detectives searched a home in Torrensville and located more than 400 cannabis plants, almost 40kg of dried cannabis and hydroponic equipment. Pic: SAPOL

Police allege on Saturday, April 29, detectives searched a home in Torrensville and located more than 400 cannabis plants, almost 40kg of dried cannabis and hydroponic equipment.

The couple were visiting family in Australia when they were arrested, Pic: SAPOL

Mr and Mrs Gjergji were arrested and charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis, possessing prescribed equipment and diverting electricity from a power source.

The court heard the couple were renting a home in Adelaide after travelling over from Albania to visit family at the time of their arrest.

“They are here visiting family and Mr and Mrs Gjergji intend to return to Albania,” the couple’s defence counsel told the court.

“They have been renting a house privately.”

Magistrate Luke Davis asked whether the couple would be deemed a flight risk if they were to be released on bail.

“Submissions were made that if any grant of bail should be accompanied by the surrendering of passports,” defence counsel said.

“Home detention in the absence of a passport extinguishes that risk of flight.”

Magistrate Davis ordered for home detention reports to be made.

The couple were remanded in custody and will return to court later this month.