AUSTRALIAN TV JOURNALIST ARRESTED IN SINGAPORE

Report from CNA:

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.

A court official in Singapore told AFP the court hearing was under way but she could not yet confirm whether charges had been formally laid.

"If convicted, Lloyd faces imprisonment of between five and 20 years in jail and between five and 15 strokes of the cane," the ABC report 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.

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.