Prominent novelist and screenwriter, Chen Wanning, 39, was arrested on June 24 for drug use, Beijing police announced on Thursday.

According to a statement by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, Chen was arrested in an apartment in Chaoyang district after receiving a tip that the writer had taken drugs.

Like Us on Facebook

Police seized a small bag of methamphetamine (also known as crystal meth) together with other drug paraphernalia from a desk drawer in the said apartment.

Following his arrest, Chen - who writes under the pen name Ning Caishen - underwent a urine test where he tested positive for methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth.

Chen apparently confessed that he had been taking drugs since December and had in fact, taken some just before he was arrested. He expressed remorse and promised not to take them anymore, the statement said.

The 39-year-old was quoted as saying that "drug taking is detrimental to both life and health. If I stop taking drugs, it will do me good in my future life."

Chen is one of the known leading figures of China's first generation online writers. He gained immense popularity with epic martial arts comedy show "My Own Swordsman" in 2006. He is also a recurring guest on match-making reality show, "If You Are The One."

According to Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation, which runs the popular match-making show, Chen's contract had already ended in May and that they have already signed with another guest to appear on the show.

Chen's arrest follows a long string of celebrity drug-related busts.

Less than two weeks before, award winning film director Zhang Yuan was detained by Beijing police for drug use and possession of crystal meth, his second such arrest under the same circumstances, Xinhua News reported.

Earlier this year, a Beijing Chaoyang District court sentenced reality TV idol Li Daimo to nine months in prison for hosting a crystal meth party at his apartment.

Meanwhile, it was noted by Xinhua News that netizens are far from feeling sympathetic towards these celebrities whom they say, seriously need to reflect on their actions instead of "simply crying crocodile tears when they are caught."

A netizen wrote, "It's ironic that someone who preaches life principles on TV would violate these principles himself."

"Actions speak louder than words. I hope that people in the public eye will learn to behave themselves, so when we think of show business, we will think of something good, rather than drugs, sex and gambling," said another.

TagsBeijing Chaoyang District, Li Daimo, Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation, Zhang Yuan, If You Are The One, My Own Swordsman, Ning Caishen, methamphetamine, crystal meth, Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, drug use, drug abuse, drug possession, celebrity lifestyle