SALVATIONIST FACES SPELL IN PERUVIAN JAIL

WELLINGTON -- Gisborne Salvation Army band member Robert Stewart is likely
to face a long spell in a Peruvian prison awaiting trial for alleged drug
smuggling.

Stewart, 61, was preparing to board a flight bound for Europe when he was
arrested on June 10 at Jorge Chavez International Airport in the Peruvian
capital, Lima.

Peruvian police found 6kg of cocaine in his check-on baggage, a police major
said.

The officer, who refused to provide his name, said Stewart was being held
for investigation pending formal charges.

Peru has heavy penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal
drugs, US State Department travel advisories warn.

Large Penalties For Drugs Offences

"Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines," one
said.

"Peruvian police are efficient at detecting drug smugglers at Lima's
international airport and at land border crossings. Anyone arrested on drug
charges, regardless of nationality, will face protracted pre-trial detention
in poor prison conditions."

Stewart's shocked family had been unable to speak to him, Captain Neil Waugh
said.

Salvation Army attempts to help him, through its international headquarters
in London, had been frustrated by language difficulties, Salvation Army
Captain Victor Garcia said from Lima.

"We don't know exactly what the anti-narcotics police are doing with the
case and for us it has been difficult to find out," he said.

Stewart was being held at the Dinandro Detention Centre in Lima.

He is expected to go before a judge, who will decide if the evidence is
sufficient to continue holding him, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Ministry
spokesman Brad Tattersfield said.

Stewart, a self-employed builder, played the euphonium in the Salvation Army
band in Gisborne.

Mr Garcia said Stewart did not contact the local organisation, but he
believed the New Zealander was heading to Portugal when he was arrested.