Journalist Present at 2 Kolegas Bust Gives Report, Jackie Chan’s Son Arrested for Drug Possession
Beijing’s crackdown on all things crack (but mainly weed and meth) continues with their latest haul involving Jackie Chan’s actor/singer son Jaycee Chan (pictured above) aka Zuming Fang as well as Taiwanese actor Kai Ko aka Ko Chun-teng.
The 32-year-old Chan and 23-year-old Ko were arrested yesterday (August 18) in Dongcheng along with a 36-year-old personal assistant/watcher. Their supposed dealer was later apprehended.
Last Thursday, Chan was stopped and tested positive for marijuana and confessed to having inhaled (but not enjoyed) the drug. Police then raided Chan's home yesterday where they found around 100g of cannabis. Under Chinese law, those in possession of more than 50g face from up to three years in prison to the death penalty.
Angie Chai, head of Ko's brokerage company, stated via social media that Ko would be detained for 14 days, adding that the fault lay with her company for having neglected his “life education.” Chan, however, faces much more severe penalties for being both in possession of the drug as well as hosting others in taking it.
These arrests come amid Beijing’s latest drug clean-up, which this time focuses predominantly on stinging wayward celebrities within the entertainment sector, the last being 40-year-old actor Gao Hu on August 4 who was done for marijuana and meth possession.
On August 13, the Beijing Trade Association for Performances and entertainment agencies signed an agreement stating that they would not hire or work with any actors who had been caught using or distributing drugs.
At the weekend, Stephen McDonnell, the Australian journalist present at the August 9 drug bust at 2 Kolegas (update), released an audio report of his experience during the raid, shedding light on some of the murkier aspects of how such incursions are undertaken by the police.
In his statement, McDonnell says that all present were required to show identification – the details of which were noted – before being ushered to the toilets where they were made to urinate into containers with the doors open, a lone female police officer blocking the view of women who were made to squat.
McDonnell adds, “... those who failed the test were taken outside the bar and made to sit on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs, heads down. Some had their mouths taped closed. Policemen stood over them and ordered them not to speak … One man told the police he couldn't pee and was given medication to make him urinate.”
The ten or so patrons who failed the test, including around five foreigners, are said to have then been taken away in police vans to Shuangjing Police Station for a 24-hour questioning period and later, to a detention center where they would serve two weeks before deportation.
These foreigners have since been permitted a visit from a diplomat representing their embassy, which McDonnell says is a positive sign as it means they will be deported rather than held in China.
Listen to, or read the transcript of, McDonnell’s full report here. Remember to play safe, kids!
Photo: The Independent, giphy
