Jackie Chan's Son Could be Executed For Marijuana Possession

Chinese actor and singer Jaycee Chan was arrested for marijuana consumption and possession in Beijing Monday. The son of Jackie Chan, he could face up to three years in prison or, at worst, even execution if convicted.

Last night, China Central Television (CCTV) reported that Beijing police had arrested 32-year-old Jaycee Chan, real name Fang Zuming, and Taiwanese actor Ko Chen-tung. Both tested positive for marijuana consumption. The younger Chan was also caught with over 100 grams of marijuana in his Beijing home. Jaycee Chan, best known in Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland for film roles in Mulan and 2 Young, joined the Chinese entertainment industry in the 2000's. His arrest is the highest profile drug bust in recent history.

Both younger Chan and Ko can and probably will be charged and punished for drug consumption. It's implied that consumption carries a lesser punishment compared to possession. A police statement, however, says that younger Chan is currently held for suspicions of harbouring suspected drug users. Younger Chan may face anywhere from mandatory rehab to three years in prison for the hundred grams of marijuana police found. During CCTV's broadcast they mention that the Younger Chan can face other charges including selling drugs. Drug dealing in China is technically an executable offense.

China has executed convicts over drug related offenses in the past. China doesn't release individual data over the amounts drugs they were 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.

The South China Morning Post reports that action star Jackie Chan has landed in Beijing to help his son.

Jackie Chan is a current member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, part of China's legislative body. He's also an anti-drugs spokesperson in China, a position he's held since 2009. Jackie Chan maintains several business and investment ventures within the Chinese mainland and has several ties to the ruling communist party. The father and son duo are featured prominently in many advertisements across the Chinese speaking regions, including Singapore and Malaysia.

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

It'll be interesting to see what kind of influence Jackie Chan can pull out to save his son from a lengthy prison stay. But even with his celebrity and political power, don't expect his son to get off totally scot-free amid this crackdown.

Click to expand...

Gathomas88 said:

Arrested For Marijuana, Jackie Chan's Son Could Face Execution



It would appear that China takes this kind of thing very seriously.

While, due to his connections, I doubt that Mr. Chan will get off with any punishment too severe, it does go to show just how significantly attitudes towards these sorts of issues differ between most of East Asia and the Western World.

Click to expand...

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not," Chan said. "I'm really confused now. If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic."

Chan added: "I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want."

Click to expand...

Gathomas88 said:

Arrested For Marijuana, Jackie Chan's Son Could Face Execution



It would appear that China takes this kind of thing very seriously.

While, due to his connections, I doubt that Mr. Chan will get off with any punishment too severe, it does go to show just how significantly attitudes towards these sorts of issues differ between most of East Asia and the Western World.

Click to expand...

Goshin said:

Interestingly, Jackie Chan has gone on record as saying that the Chinese people "don't need freedom so much as someone to tell them what to do", much in the news about that a few years ago. He said this in support of China's authoritarian style of governance. Wonder if this changes his views any.

Click to expand...

Gathomas88 said:

Arrested For Marijuana, Jackie Chan's Son Could Face Execution



It would appear that China takes this kind of thing very seriously.

le, due to his connections, I doubt that Mr. Chan will get off with any punishment too severe, it does go to show just how significantly attitudes towards these sorts of issues differ between most of East Asia and the Western World.

Click to expand...

Gathomas88 said:

Arrested For Marijuana, Jackie Chan's Son Could Face Execution



It would appear that China takes this kind of thing very seriously.

While, due to his connections, I doubt that Mr. Chan will get off with any punishment too severe, it does go to show just how significantly attitudes towards these sorts of issues differ between most of East Asia and the Western World.

Click to expand...

For now, Chan and Ko first have to reckon with their legal situations. Ko — who just two years ago appeared in an anti-drug public service campaign — has been charged with drug consumption, which carries a 14-day detention term.

Chan, however, is facing the much more serious charge of “accommodating drug users,” which generally refers to providing others a place to take drugs.

Wu, the attorney, said that charge can carry a sentence of three years in prison, but that can be reduced if a defendant shows contrition and is cooperative. “It’s too early to say in his case what will happen,” Wu said.

Click to expand...

polgara said:

While we have several states where it is now permitted by law! Go figure. China apparently doesn't care about the tax revenue as much as other countries do. It is astonishing to me that China, with a population four times larger than we have, apparently keeps very accurate track of individuals, as well as making sure that businesses of all types are totally in compliance with their laws. No *****footing around with them either when they're caught! As an example, recently the State Food and Drug Administration Director was executed for not following the law, and no delays are permitted once guilt is determined, nor can wealthy people use their money to buy officials off. Interesting concept. Death by firing squad is the most common form of punishment, although lethal injection is being allowed.

Click to expand...

Summerwind said:

No, he can't face execution or even life in prison.
Here's a more rational report.

Jackie Chan's son busted in major Chinese drug crackdown - LA Times



Folks in the US with a lot pre-packaged mj would get way more than 3 years.

Click to expand...

Gathomas88 said:

The major distinction would seem to be whether he is found guilty of simple possession, or dealing and trafficking.

As the article notes, the Chinese have executed people for the latter two offenses in the past.

Click to expand...

Gathomas88 said:

Interesting. I'm kind of skeptical that their control is actually that good, however, especially given some of the nasty things that have been found in Chinese made products in recent years.

It might be the case that they're just really good at targeting people they want gone within the system, and doing away with them in a time and resource efficient manner. :lol:

Click to expand...