A desperate and uncertain fate awaits two young residents from Sydney's north-west, behind bars in China tonight, accused of trying to smuggle kilos of the drug 'ice'.
Sydney pair Peter Gardner and Kalynda Davis only met a few weeks ago, but have been charged together by Chinese authorities after allegedly trying to import 75kg of methamphetamine or "ice" from China to Australia.
They could potentially face a firing squad, with questions now being raised about a sophisticated drug importation ring at Sydney Airport.
And it has emerged Mr Gardner may have attempted the smuggling feat before.
Mr Gardner's former employer Michael Kulakovski said he feared for the young man's future.
"To be caught with substance in China is probably one of the worst countries to be caught in," Mr Kulakovski said.
The tickets were booked at the Richmond Marketplace Flight Centre in Sydney's west, just minutes away from Mr Gardner's family home.
9NEWS understands on November 5, Mr Gardner and Ms Davis flew from Sydney International Airport to Guangzhou.
They were booked to fly back to Sydney on November 8, just three days later and then transit to Auckland.
But they were intercepted at the airport by Chinese authorities, and never boarded the flight.
9NEWS understands Mr Gardner may have made a similar trip within recent weeks, stopping by Perth and New Zealand.
He is understood to have told a number of work colleagues that he was working as a carpenter in Goulburn to explain his absence.
"He was doing really good, he had a lot of work and he was earning good money," Mr Kulakovski said.
"(I) don't know why he's done this."
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's office said no comment would be made as the matter is before the courts.
The case is expected to be heard in court in China later this week.
