John Nikolic’s miracle recovery from drug overdose
A FORTNIGHT after downing a toxic cocktail following a drug raid on his luxury yacht, former Melbourne horse trainer John Nikolic has been released from a Fijian hospital and is being interviewed by police.
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JOHN Nikolic is back from the dead.
A fortnight after downing a toxic cocktail following a drug raid, the former Melbourne horse trainer has been released from a Fijian hospital after waking from a coma.
“The second suspect alleged to be involved in the case of unlawful importation of illicit drugs and ammunition in Denarau last month is currently being questioned by police,”
Fiji police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro confirmed to News Corp.
“The 45-year-old suspect was discharged from hospital and is now being questioned by Border Police.”
Nikolic, who was rushed to Lautoka Hospital’s intensive care unit following a drug raid on his boat Shenanigans on June 22, was yesterday talking for the first time in days.
“I can confirm that Mr Nikolic is out of the Intensive Care Unit,” Mr Nikolic’s Australian Lawyer Jason Murakami said.
Fiji Border Police Commanding Officer Pita Keni said Mr Nikolic was miraculously on the way to recovery, and he was expected to be charged by police in coming days.
Grave fears were initially held for his welfare as these types of overdoses can result in lifelong health problems, disabilities, movement disorders and/or brain damage.
MORE: John and Yvette’s emotional goodbye
MORE: Crew member on Nikolics’ drug yacht says he ‘dodged a bullet’
Yvette Dianne Nikolic faced Lautoka High Court yesterday on drug possession and importation charges, with defence lawyer Wasu Pillay flagging to the court she would apply for bail.
Mr Pillay also made an application to the court for personal items in a backpack belonging to Ms Nikolic — seized by police when she was taken into custody — to be returned to her.
MORE: Danny and Karen Nikolic marina where seized yacht was moored
MORE: Stash allegedly found on Nikolics’ yacht revealed
The items included contact lenses, a notebook and a phone, Mr Pillay said.
Police had indicated the items would not be used in evidence, so there was no harm in returning the items to Ms Nikolic, he argued.
Judge Aruna Alugthe said he would take the application under consideration and seek advice before the matter returned to court for further mention on July 17.
Appearing calm and composed, Ms Nikolic was supported in court by her brothers-in-law Danny and Tom Nikolic, and mother-in-law Karen.
She occasionally exchanged glances and little smiles with her husband’s family across the courtroom.
Still sporting a tan from her months sailing the Pacific with her husband John aboard the catamaran Shenanigans, Ms Nikolic fronted court in a white shirt, jeans and sneakers and wore her long hair tied back in a single plait.
Ms Nikolic, 42, arrived at Lautoka High Court in the back of an open police truck.
She was then taken to a police holding cell, before being escorted, uncuffed, by police to the courtroom.
After the brief hearing, Ms Nikolic was taken back to Lautoka Women’s Correction Centre, where she is on remand.
Mr Nikolic faces the prospect of years in a Fijian men’s prison if charged with — and found guilty of — drug possession and importing.
Mr Nikolic downed in a flask a toxic cocktail of liquid cocaine mixed with a white powder, understood to be methamphetamine on June 22.
Fiji’s Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) said 13 bars of cocaine worth as much as $20 million, 65 ecstasy tablets and $20,000 of undeclared cash were found on board Shenanigans when it was raided.