ABC reporter Peter Lloyd slapped with three more drug charges

Sydney, July 25 : The Aussie journalist Peter Lloyd who was arrested in Singapore on July 16 for selling drugs, has been slapped with three more drug charges related to possessing and consuming drugs.

The New Delhi-based foreign correspondent, working for ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), was released on bail on Wednesday.

The three fresh charges include one count of possessing utensils that carried traces of the veterinary drug ketamine. The other two new charges against Lloyd are methamphetamine consumption without authorisation, and possessing utensils that carried traces of methamphetamine, a charge sheet shows.

The consumption charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail or a 15,400 US dollars fine, or both. The other two charges each have a maximum penalty of three years in jail or a 8000 US dollars fine or both.

According to The Australian, Lloyd (41) was grim-faced as he appeared briefly in the Singapore Subordinates Court today and was told of the three new charges. Amendments have also been made to the two original charges laid against Lloyd of possessing and trafficking methamphetamine, or ice.

It was alleged he had sold a packet containing 0.15 grams of methamphetamine to a person identified as Sani bin Saidi for 76 US dollars on July 9 at Singapore's York Hotel. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail and up to 15 strokes of the cane.

ANI