Customs officials in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, have applied to the local procuratorate for the arrest of a New Zealander detained on suspicion of drug trafficking.

Officials suspect Peter Gardner, 25, of transporting 30.02 kg of methamphetamine, or "ice". A friend of Gardner's, Australian Kalynda Davis, 22, has been released.

There is no evidence to show that Davis intended to smuggle drugs, said Rao Jiyong, deputy director of a Criminal Investigation Department at the Guangzhou Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau, on Thursday.