Wife of former horse trainer bursts into tears as she is found not guilty of drug importation and possession – as it's revealed she could be released from Fiji prison today
- Yvette Nikolic and husband John from Gold Coast were arrested in Fiji in June
- Officials allegedly found a large quantity of cocaine and two guns on yacht
- Mrs Nikolic was found not guilty of all charges in Suva on Monday
The wife of a former horse trainer accused of importing drugs into Fiji was on Monday found not guilty.
Yvette Nikolic and her husband John were arrested in June after customs officials allegedly found drugs on their yacht which they had sailed from the United States via Columbia.
Officials allegedly found a large quantity of cocaine, 65 ecstasy tablets, two handguns, and 112 rounds of ammunition.
The pair were put on trial in Suva at the end of January and this week Mrs Nikolic was found not guilty of all charges.
She is expected to be released today while Mr Nikolic's case continues.
John Nikolic and his wife Yvette (pictured) were arrested in June after customs officials allegedly found drugs on their yacht which they had sailed from the United States via Columbia
The yacht (pictured) which the Nikolics sailed into Fiji has been docked on the island since
Mrs Nikolic burst into tears when the judge read aloud her verdict.
Her lawyer, Ronald Gordon, had argued that she had no idea any drugs or weapons were allegedly on board, reported the Courier Mail.
He said: 'We have always maintained she was not guilty of any of the charges and today we heard the judge find in favour of my client and say there was no evidence at all against her in relation to any of the charges, so we are thankful to the Fiji criminal justice system and we've been vindicated.'
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The Nikolics began their trip in Florida in the United States and sailed the yacht to Columbia, through the Panama Canal and stopping at several islands before landing in Fiji.
They had intended to keep sailing and return to their home on the Gold Coast.
Fijian authorities charged the pair with five offences, including four in connection with importing and possessing illicit substances.
Mr Nikolic also pleaded not guilty to all charges.
John Nikolic and his wife Yvette were arrested on June 22 last year after customs officials searched their yacht and allegedly found cocaine, ecstasy, handguns, and ammunition. Pictured: Items allegedly found on the boat
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