In a series of raids on Singapore's social elite last month the trio were each charged with possessing more than 60 grams (2.1 ounces) of cocaine, double the amount that triggers a mandatory death sentence.

Tunisian Guiga Lyes Ben Laroussi, his Singaporean girlfriend, Mariana Abdullah and another local, Marx Oh, were alleged to be the ringleaders of the drug syndicate and facing execution.

But the lawyer for Laroussi and Oh, Subhas Anandan, said laboratory tests conducted by law enforcement officials had shown the amount of pure cocaine allegedly found in their possession fell below the crucial 30-gram mark.

Laroussi was found to be allegedly in possession of 25.2 grams of cocaine, while Oh was alleged to be in possession of 21.6 grams.

"It just means that they are facing charges now (that) if they are convicted, they will face a minimum of 20 years, maximum of 30 years and 15 strokes of the cane," Subhas told reporters.

"But they don't hang. I mean that's the only consolation you have."

A court official told AFP that Abdullah had also escaped the death penalty after her charges had been lessened, but could give no further details.

Nigel Simmonds, the British former editor of high-society magazine Singapore Tatler, and Dutch business executive Petrus van Wanrooij, were also arrested although they face lesser charges of drug possession.

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