WELLINGTON: The New Zealand man Peter Gardner, 25 has been detained in Guangzhou, China, accused of smuggling 30kg of methamphetamine out of China may have to wait longer than thought to learn his fate.
Gardner’s detention exceeds 37day, which is the longest amount of time Chinese authorities kept a person without releasing or charging them.
But New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) suggested it may be premature to suggest today was “D-Day” for Gardner. People seem very fixated on this long detention by China.
Police in China have been known to extend a detention period by starting an investigation into a new offence. It is also possible that Gardner has already been charged and authorities have not yet made a public announcement.
If found guilty, New Zealand-born Gardner, who lived in Sydney, could face 15 years to life in jail or the death penalty.
Gardner’s father Russell Gardner told that his son was “doing okay” despite possibly facing death by firing squad. He said that his son had never been in serious trouble before, but didn’t want to speculate on his guilt.
Guangzhou Customs told that Peter Gardner was the owner of two drug-filled bags, the zippers of which were sealed with super glue.
Guangzhou Customs alleged that when the bags were opened, officials found 60 vacuum-sealed bags containing 30kg of meth.
