Yvette Nikolic protests innocence in luxury boat drug sting

YVETTE Nikolic has spoken exclusively from behind bars for the first time about and husband John’s Fijian drug smuggling drama, declaring: “I am innocent.”

• Where the drugs were allegedly stashed on luxury yacht Shenanigans

YVETTE Nikolic has spoken from behind bars for the first time about and husband John’s Fijian drug smuggling drama, declaring: “I am innocent.”

As her Gold Coast-based lawyers fight to free her from Lautoka Women’s Prison in Nadi, Mrs Nikolic yesterday spoke exclusively to The Sunday Mail about the ordeal.

“I am innocent and I’m confident justice will prevail,” she said in a statement through her lawyers, Jason Murakami and Ron Behlau.

“I understand there is a process and my lawyers are working through that now. The Fijian authorities and particularly the jail staff have been respectful, kind and understanding towards me and I really thank them for that.”

Yvette Nikolic is pictured at the Lautoka High Court complex in Lautoka, Fiji. Picture: Mark Stewart

Mrs Nikolic and her husband, a former Victorian and Gold Coast horse trainer, were nabbed by Fijian authorities in a raid on their yacht Shenanigans on June 22.

A huge 12.9kg stash of cocaine worth up to $30 million as well as ecstasy tablets, $20,000 in cash and guns and ammunition were allegedly found on the vessel by Fijian customs officials.

Mr Nikolic was rushed to hospital in a critical condition following the raid after allegedly downing a potent drug cocktail during the sting.

He recovered and last week, he and his wife were each charged with one count of importation of illicit drugs, one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and one count of failure to declare arms and ammunition to a customs officer.

Both are due to reappear in court on July 17, when Mrs Nikolic is expected to apply for bail.

Former Melbourne horse trainer John Nikolic has appeared in court on drugs charges in the Magistrates Court in Nadi, Fiji. Picture: Gary Ramage

Mr Murakami, who flew to Fiji last week to spearhead the legal defence team for Mrs Nikolic, said the case against her was “very thin”.

He said the case against her relied solely on the fact that she is the registered owner of the catamaran at the centre of the international drama.

“There does not exist any evidence that Mrs Nikolic had any knowledge of the existence of the contraband on the sailing vessel,” Mr Murakami said. “We are confident that a just outcome will be secured for Mrs Nikolic at the end of this.”

The Nikolics have connections to the Gold Coast, having moved there in 2009.

Mr Nikolic set up a small training stable on the Glitter Strip but was forced to hand in his training licence after a stewards’ inquiry into the failure of one of his horses on the Sunshine Coast.

In 2011, the Nikolics’ Robina home was raided and Mr Nikolic was questioned by police investigating the execution-style slaying of millionaire racing identity Les Samba.

Originally published as Yvette Nikolic protests innocence in luxury boat drug sting