Top Chinese singer gets 7 months in jail for drug offence

Popular Chinese singer Yin Xiangjie stands trial today for a drug-related crime at the Chaoyang District People's Court in Beijing. (Photo/Beijing Chaoyang District People's Court)

Popular Chinese singer Yin Xiangjie was given seven months in prison and a fine of 2,000 yuan (US$326 ) for drug offence by a court in Beijing today.

The latest celebrity involved in drug offenses in China, Yin was arrested in possession of more than 10 grams of drugs, including crystal methamphetamine.

Illegal possession of more than ten grams of crystal meth could result in up to three years in jail and fines in China.

During his arrest in December 2014, the Beijing native Yin confessed to illegally possessing and taking drugs.

The 45-year-old Yin shot to fame in 1993 following his rendition of the song "Boat Tracker's Love", which he sang with his fellow Chinese singer Yu Wenhua.

Popular in the mid-1990s, Yin was once recognized as one of the country's best rappers and appointed as the publicity volunteer for an anti-drug campaign in 2007. He recently appeared on CCTV's music talent show Seeking Liu Sanjie as a guest judge.

However, according to Beijing Youth Daily, the program has re-scheduled the show in order to edit Yin from the show.

Yin became the latest Chinese celebrities that China detained on drug-related and prostitution charges.

The list includes movie and television stars and film directors. In January of this year, Jackie Chan's son, Jaycee, was sentenced to six months in prison for drug offenses.

In August 2014, actor Gao Hu, 40, was arrested for the possession and use of marijuana and methamphetamine. Gao has acted in many hit films, including Zhang Yimou's "The Flowers of War" in 2011, and "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" that was released in 2013.

Chen Wanning, a writer and director, was detained in late June 2014 for the possession and use of crystal methamphetamine. Chen's arrest came less than two weeks after director Zhang Yuan was arrested in Beijing for similar offenses. It was his second arrest on drug charges.

In March 2014, Li Daimo, a popular reality TV star, was sentenced to nine months for hosting crystal meth parties at his apartment, according to the Beijing Chaoyang District People's Court.

In April 2011, Hong Kong actor Max Mok was arrested in Beijing for smoking marijuana, only three months after the arrest of rock singer Xie Tianxiao for the same offense. The following year, actor Zhang Mo, son of actor Zhang Guoli, was found smoking marijuana in his villa.