Accused drug smuggler Kalynda Davis back in Australia: family

Sydney woman Kalynda Davis, who faced a possible death sentence for allegedly trying to import drugs from China, has returned home.

The 22-year-old woman from Glenmore Park, in Sydney’s west, was expected to face a Chinese court this week, but her family today revealed she had been freed by Chinese authorities and was now home.

The family’s lawyer Paul Blunt said the family was keen to avoid the spotlight, despite the good news.

"We are happy to have Kalynda back home, we have always known Kalynda to be innocent of these allegations," Mr Blunt told reporters yesterday.

Ms Davis was reported missing to NSW police by a family member on November 8.

On the same day, Ms Davis and 25-year-old Peter Gardner, who lived in Richmond on Sydney's northwest fringe, flew from Sydney to Guangzhou in China.

Her travel companion is still behind bars and faces a possible death sentence, because under Chinese law drug trafficking carries the death penalty.

The pair was arrested at Guangzhou Airport in China a month ago.

Authorities have alleged the pair was trying to smuggle 75kg of methamphetamine or "ice", with an estimated street value of almost $20 million back to Australia.

The couple had bought tickets for the flights from Richmond Marketplace Flight Centre. It was Gardner's second trip to China in just two weeks.

Within minutes of her release going public, social media was awash with support for the young Sydneysider.

But she and her family were thinking of co-accused Gardner, still in jail.

"We will continue to pray for Peter and your family,” Mr Blunt said.

“You are always in our thoughts.”