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Jackie Chan's son Jaycee Chan arrested in Beijing on drugs charges

Chinese police confirmed that they found more than 3.5ounces of marijuana at the home of the 32-year-old actor in Beijing

Jenn Selby
Monday 18 August 2014 20:51 BST
Jaycee and Jackie Chan take part in a press conference for Chan's concert at Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium in 2009
Jaycee and Jackie Chan take part in a press conference for Chan's concert at Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium in 2009

Jaycee Chan, the son of martial arts movie legend Jackie Chan, has been arrested in Beijing on drugs charges.

Chinese police confirmed that they found more than 3.5ounces of marijuana at the home of the 32-year-old in Beijing.

Jaycee, who is also an American-born and educated actor and musician, tested positive for having used the banned substance.

He was arrested alongside Taiwanese movie star Kai Ko, 23, and a third person, known only as Mr Song, who was arrested for distributing the drugs uncovered at the property.

Of course, the news could come as some embarrassment to father Jackie Chan, who is a Narcotics Control Ambassador for the Chinese police. In his role, he has been the face of numerous anti-drugs campaigns and frequently speaks in support of the Community party in power.

Jaycee’s arrest is, however, the latest in a string of famous Chinese, Hong Kong and Taiwanese faces targeted by police in the country for drug use and possession.

Chinese actor Gao Hu, 40, was detained in Beijing for possessing methamphetamine and cannabis.

Meanwhile, a number of Chinese entertainment agencies were encouraged to sign an agreement on 13 August to blacklist any of their talent caught using or distributing banned substances.

First-time offenders of recreational drug-related crimes tend to be handed an administrative detention, which carries a maximum of 15 days. However, if the convicted is considered an addict by police, they could be forced to undergo three years of compulsory rehabilitation.

A Health and Human Rights investigation in 2013 claimed that those held in Chinese rehabilitation centres risk degrading treatment, and can be "subject to torture".

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