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SINGAPORE: A television reporter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has been arrested in Singapore and is expected to face drug charges on Friday, his employer said.
"ABC South Asia correspondent Peter Lloyd has been arrested in Singapore and is likely to be charged with a number of drug-related offences later today," a report on the ABC website said.
A court official who earlier told AFP the court hearing was under way later said the laying of charges was delayed until the afternoon.
The ABC website said Lloyd is expected to be charged in a court hearing at a hospital where he is being held under guard.
It quoted the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith as saying he expected Australian officials to attend the hearing.
Officials are satisfied that Lloyd is receiving proper medical treatment for an eye infection, Smith was quoted as saying.
"If convicted, Lloyd faces imprisonment of between five and 20 years in jail and between five and 15 strokes of the cane," the ABC said.
A statement from counter-narcotics officers in Singapore said investigation showed a 41-year-old Australian to be the "supplier" to a Singaporean drug abuser arrested on Wednesday.
"The Australian national was arrested and in the course of follow-up search, the officers recovered a packet of 'ice' weighing approximately 0.8 grams, one improvised smoking pipe and six syringes," the Central Narcotics Bureau said.
It did not name the Australian but said he is under investigation for trafficking in a controlled drug.
'Ice' is a street name for methamphetamine.
Lloyd is on leave in Singapore from his posting in New Delhi, the director of ABC News, John Cameron, said on the network's website.
It said the ABC has not been told the full details of the case, but the organisation is in close contact with consular officials and is also taking steps to ensure Lloyd is given appropriate legal representation.
- AFP/yb
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