Friend of Kalynda Davis, who faces possible execution in China, says co-accused Peter Gardner ‘used’ her to try and smuggle drugs into Australia
A FRIEND of Kalynda Davis, who is facing a possible death sentence in China, says she was ‘used’ by co-accused Peter Gardner to smuggle drugs into Australia.
A FRIEND of the Sydney girl facing a possible death sentence in China says she was forced into smuggling drugs by the Richmond man who has also been arrested.
Kalynda Davis, 22, of Penrith and Peter Gardner, 25, have been accused of trying to smuggle 75kg of methamphetamine or ice from China to Australia.
The pair arrived in Guangzhou from Sydney on November 5 and were scheduled to return three days later but were intercepted by Chinese authorities, Nine News reported.
But a friend has taken to Facebook to accuse Gardner of forcing Davis into the smuggling operation.
“He took her from us! He deserves nothing! He took our kalynda and used her,” the message read.
“She would be so scared now. I just want to hug her!”
Davis, a talented junior basketballer on the verge of selection for NSW, and Gardner are expected to face court this week.
A spokesman for Ms Davis’ former basketball club Penrith Panthers said the club was rallying around her parents who have flown to China to support their daughter.
“We are speaking about it at board level about how can we offer support for the family.“
“She was a very good basketball player and they are a wonderful family.”
Ms Davis was initially reported missing by a family member of November 5 however after she was located in China the matter was referred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who have so far refused to comment on the case.
China’s harsh drug laws mean people caught with even small amounts of illicit drugs face the possibility of the death penalty.
Earlier this year the country executed two South Korean nationals who were found guilty of smuggling methamphetamine into China from North Korea.
DFAT said earlier this year that a number of Australians faced possible execution for drug charges in China.
A spokesperson told the ABC ‘several’ people were currently going through the court system in the country and that it was ‘conceivable’ they could be executed.
Originally published as Friend of Kalynda Davis, who faces possible execution in China, says co-accused Peter Gardner ‘used’ her to try and smuggle drugs into Australia
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