Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jun 2000
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2000 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  PO Box 32, Auckland, New Zealand
Fax: (09) 373-6421
Website: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Forum: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/forums/
Author: Scott Inglis

COCAINE BUST ROCKS CHURCH

The euphonium player in Gisborne's Salvation Army band has been arrested at
Lima airport, allegedly trying to smuggle 6kg of cocaine out of Peru.

Robert James Campbell Stewart, a 61-year-old Gisborne builder, was arrested
on June 10 as he was leaving Peru for Europe, and is being held at Lima's
Dinandro Detention Centre.

He has not yet appeared before a judge but if found guilty faces a long
prison term.

Mr Stewart has lived in Gisborne most of his life and has been a member of
the Salvation Army's Gisborne congregation for many years.

He plays the euphonium, a brass instrument, in the army's band and is
considered a pillar of the community. The Salvation Army's Gisborne captain,
Neil Waugh, described Mr Stewart as a "good person."

"It's just blown all the congregation away," he said. The Salvation Army was
supporting the family and had contacted its people in Peru for help.

Mr Stewart's wife, Brenda, and his five children yesterday refused to
comment.

But his lawyer, Wayne Callaghan, told the Herald the family were like
"stunned mullets."

"We don't have any knowledge of the background," Mr Callaghan said. "There
was absolutely no inkling as to what he was up to.

"I understand the family assumed he was on a business trip. I think you've
got a classic New Zealand situation where the husband has been self-employed
for years and does his own thing and doesn't liaise too much with his wife
on the issue."

Neighbours said Mr Stewart was often away on business.

Mr Callaghan and Mr Stewart's family have not spoken to him since he was
arrested.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is trying to obtain information,
and is working with the British High Commission in Lima.

Three main issues are concerning Mr Callaghan - Mr Stewart's health,
ensuring he receives proper legal representation and the conditions under
which he is being held.

Mr Callaghan said there were "grave fears" over Mr Stewart's health, as it
was not known if he was receiving medication for heart and thyroid
conditions and another illness about which he did not have details.

Mr Stewart is understood to have a court-appointed lawyer, but Mr Callaghan
said "my brief is to endeavour to get Bob represented in the best possible
manner."

Little is known about conditions at the Dinandro Detention Centre.

However, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman, Brad
Tattersfield, said: "Apparently he's fine. We haven't heard any evidence
that he's been ill-treated."

Peru's consul in Auckland, Ross Wales, said the country's prisons were once
"terrible" but had improved in the past 25 years. "They are more humane
now."

Mr Callaghan said that as far as he knew, Mr Stewart had no business or
financial problems.

"I'm just as shocked as everyone else as to how a chap from rural New
Zealand, who's a pillar of the Salvation Army and very well respected in the
community, can find himself in this situation."

Cocaine is a major industry in Peru. More than 51,000ha of the nation's
arable land is given over to growing the coca plant from which it is made,
and the illegal industry employs nearly 200,000 people.
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