Jackie Chan’s Son Could Face Execution for Marijuana Charges

via www.slashershouse.com

Jaycee Chan has been arrested on marijuana charges…and could even face capital punishment as a result.

You might be more familiar with his famous martial artist, movie star father, Jackie Chan but, Jaycee Chan, whose real name is Fang Zuming, is also a celebrity in the Asian world. Best known in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland for film roles in Mulan and 2 Young, the 32-year-old is also a well-known singer and first joined the Chinese entertainment industry in the 2000s.

He and friend Taiwanese actor Ko Chen-tung were arrested after both tested positive for marijuana consumption. The younger Chan was also caught in possession of over 100 grams of marijuana in his Beijing home. His arrest is the highest profile drug bust in recent history for the region.

Both the younger Chan and Ko can and probably will be charged and consequently punished for drug consumption. What we can tell is that an offense of ‘consumption’ carries with it a lesser punishment when compared to possession.

However, a police statement says that Jaycee is currently being held on suspicion  that he was harboring suspected drug users, making his a worse offense than his friend’s. China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the younger Chan can face other charges including selling drugs. Drug dealing in China is technically an executable offense.

China is known for its harsh drug laws, with a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to drug traffickers. That said, if convicted, Jaycee could face mandatory drug rehab and up to three years in prison or, at worst, even execution.

In the past, China has indeed executed convicts over drug-related offenses. And they refuse to release individual data over the amounts of drugs that the offenders were caught carrying. Traditionally, China executes drug offenders on the UN’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. According to AFP, China executed six people in 2010 over drug dealing related cases.

Over the course of the last two months, over 7,800 people were caught in Beijing alone for drug related offences. Since November 2013, China has been enforcing an anti-corruption campaign led by President Xi Jinping. The country has also cracked down on prostitution.

The elder Chan has reportedly travelled to Beijing to be with his son.

The action star is very active in politics in his native country; he is a current member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, which is part of China’s legislative body. What’s ironic is that Chan is also an anti-drugs spokesperson in China – a position he’s held since 2009. What’s more, the father and son duo have even been prominently featured in many advertisements across the Chinese speaking regions, including Singapore and Malaysia.

Chan maintains several business and investment ventures on the Chinese mainland and has several ties to the ruling communist party.

What remains to be seen is whether Chan’s political clout will have any influence on the type of sentence his son receives, that is, if he’ll see any leniency from the courts, if convicted in the first place.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, it’s common to have legal issues as a result. Don’t let this keep you from getting the help you need. Help is available, including specialized addiction treatment and case management to help with any pending legal issues you may have. Please call toll-free to speak directly with an Addiction Specialist at 1-800-951-6135. We are available around the clock.