Methhead by choice, pop singer Yin Xiangjie was sentenced to seven months in jail. (Photo : www.weibo.com)
Popular Chinese mainstream singer Yin Xiangjie was sentenced by Beijing court to seven months of imprisonment and fined 2,000 yuan ($326 ) for illegal drug possession on Feb. 28, Saturday.
Yin was sentenced after his first case trial in Beijing Chaoyang District People's Court in the morning. Yin's drug paraphernalias were confiscated.
The popular singer is the latest Chinese celebrity involved in prohibited drugs. Yin was charged with possession of more than 10 grams of crystal methane, also known as methamphetamine.
Possession of more than 10 grams of crystal meth in China could be punishable by up to three years of jail. Upon Yin's arrest in Dec. 2014, the singer confessed about his drug use.
The 46-year-old singer became famous in 1993 with his rendition of "Boat Tracker's Love," which he sang with Yu Wenhua.
During the mid-90s, Yin was considered as one of China's best rappers and was appointed by the government in 2007 as a publicity volunteer for the anti-drugs campaign. Yin recently appeared as a guest judge on the popular talent show "Seeking Liu Sanjie."
However, Beijing Youth Daily said that the show was rescheduled in order for the program editors to take out Yin from the show.
Yin is the latest in the long list of Chinese celebrities detained on drug and prostitution charges. The list includes famous movie personalities and directors, the most famous of late was the recently released Jaycee Chan, son of the famous kung fu star Jackie Chan.
Actor Gao Hu was arrested in Aug. 2014 for possession and use of marijuana and crystal meth. Gao has been in many hit movies such as Zhang Yimou's "The Flowers of War" and "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate."
Writer and director Chen Wanning was detained in June 2014 for possession of crystal meth. Chen was arrested less than two weeks after the arrest of director Zhang Yuan for similar drug offenses.
Popular reality TV star Li Daimo was sentenced to nine months in March 2014 for similar charges.
Hong Kong actor Max Mok was arrested in April 2011 for smoking marijuana. Three months earlier, rock n roll singer Xie Tianxiao was also arrested for smoking the illegal herb.
Chinese authorities are particularly harsh on celebrities as part of President Xi's campaign to clean up China of illegal drugs, especially the dreaded marijuana. President Xi's contention is that the young people look up to the celebrities, and therefore, these pop idols should not be taking drugs.
