Two New Zealand men arrested on charges of smuggling drugs are now receiving assistance from the NZ Government.
A Wanganui man in custody in Bali after allegedly trying to smuggle 1.7kg of methamphetamine on to the Indonesian island is being assisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Antony de Malmanche, a beneficiary originally from Palmerston North, was travelling to Bali to see a woman he had met on an internet dating website.
Methamphetamine is in the most serious drug class in Indonesia and anyone convicted of trafficking faces the death penalty.
Mfat confirmed today that the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta had been in contact with de Malmanche.
"The embassy is providing consular assistance," an Mfat spokeswoman said.
"The New Zealand Consul will travel to Bali and visit Mr de Malmanche early this coming week."
She could not speak further about the case.
"The ministry cannot comment on the ongoing investigation or interfere in the judicial proceedings of another country."
Meanwhile, A Kiwi builder charged with smuggling 75kg of methamphetamine out of China is also being assisted by the New Zealand Government.
Peter Gardner, 25, a New Zealand-born builder living in Australia, faces death by firing squad with fellow accused, Sydney woman Kalynda Davis, 22. On November 5 the pair flew to China from Sydney. They were booked to fly back to Sydney on November 8 and then onto Auckland just three days later, but were intercepted at Guangzhou Airport allegedly carrying the drugs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed they were aware of the charges against Gardner.
"Consular assistance is being provided to Mr Gardner by the New Zealand Consulate-General in Guangzhou. The Consul-General has visited Mr Gardner in the detention centre to check on his well-being. He has legal representation," a spokeswoman told the Herald.
"The Ministry cannot comment on the ongoing investigation or interfere in the judicial proceedings of another country."
She said Gardner's family did not want to speak publicly about the situation and were requesting privacy.
Beijing-based lawyer Xie Yanyi told News.com.au that until the couple are officially charged, their families must apply for special permission to see them.
Even after charges are laid and sentences handed down, they will only receive one visit from family each month. That will remain the same if they escape death, for the rest of their lives, he said.
The Saturday Telegraph revealed that Davis is the daughter of a decorated former senior policeman.
- NZ Herald
