Chinese celebrity arrests over drug-related offenses have grown over the years, showing the strict grip of Chinese authorities to the nation's entertainment industry when it comes to narcotics. Celebrities are not immune to prosecution, according to a Beijing Public Security Bureau official Wednesday.

Like Us on Facebook

"We are definitely not indulgent with the celebrities. People who are involved in drug-related cases must be cracked down on in accordance with laws, no matter who they are, which occupation they have or how high their social status," Deputy Director Jiang Liangdong said.

Jiang emphasized that drug users across China are a diverse group, but Chinese celebrities narcotics users are seen as a "harder-hit area."

Last year, Jiang said that police in Beijing have gone over and above to fight celebrity drug use.

"We caught several superstars who used drugs and took others to use drugs," he said. "Our crackdown against celebrities who used drugs was also aimed at asking them to be 'good men' before they made a movie and sang a song, as well as let them know the importance of establishing their public image."

In 2014, 39-year-old screenwriter and novelist Chen Wanning was arrested by Beijing police due to drug offenses. Chen later admitted to crystal meth use, according to Xinhua.

On January 9, the 32-year-old son of Kung Fu superstar Jackie Chan, Jaycee Chan, tested positive for marijuana and was convicted of pushed drugs in August. He was sentenced to six months in prison and given a US$322 fine.

The next month, adding to the Chinese celebrity narcotics users list was the popular Chinese singer Yin Xiangjie. Yin was fined 2,000 yuan for possessing drugs and received a sentence of seven months in jail.

"Using drugs, in fact, has seriously damaged the health and future careers of stars, and as public figures their image has also been broken among their followers," said Jiang. "They should improve their self-quality, avoiding the negative effects that they brought to society."

Jiang added that Beijing police started implementing stricter inspections on entertainment venues to reduce celebrity drug users. Authorities also urged residents to report drug offenses.

The Chinese celebrities narcotics list is only part of a larger problem on drugs for Beijing. Since January, there has been a 65 percent increase in drug use, with Beijing police receiving more than 1,500 reports and tips in 2014, according to China Daily.

Rewards of more than 200,000 yuan were provided by the Public Security Bureau for tip-offs.

Since the 1980s, illegal drug use in China has gradually increased. The list of most used drugs includes methamphetamines, ecstasy, and ketamine, also known as k-fen. These drugs are easily bought online through forums and messaging apps such as Tencent's WeChat, reported Quartz.

TagsChinese celebrities narcotics, Chinese celebrities, narcotics, celebrity drug users china