Australian national John Nikolic sentenced to 23 years in prison

Australian national John Nikolic has been sentenced to 23 years imprisonment by High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Goundar.

Justice Goundar has set a non-parole period of 18 years.

Nikolic is convicted of two counts of possession of illicit drugs, one count of possession of arms and ammunition without a licence and two counts of unlawful importation of illicit drugs.

Nikolic had imported 12.9 kilograms of cocaine and 34.4 grams of methamphetamine with an estimated value of between $20 million to $30 million.

While delivering his sentence, Justice Goundar said the yacht which the drugs were found in went to Florida, Colombia, Panama, Tahiti and then to Fiji.

Justice Goundar said the sentence must reflect the crime committed and should be just in the circumstances of the case.

The judge said the ammunition found in the yacht also shows that Nikolic is in the drug trade.