Famous Chinese singer prosecuted on drug charge

Popular Chinese singer Yin Xiangjie was prosecuted in Beijing on Thursday for illegal possession of drugs, the latest celebrity involved in drug offenses in China, according to the People's Procuratorate of Beijing's Chaoyang District.

Beijing police arrested 45-year-old Yin in a residential community in Chaoyang District in late December and seized drugs there, including 13.93 grams of crystal meth and 1.02 grams of marijuana.

In China, illegal possession of more than ten grams of crystal meth could result in up to three years in jail and fines.

A Beijing native, Yin became famous after singing "Boat Tracker's Love", with his fellow singer Yu Wenhua in 1993.

China has detained a string of celebrities, including movie and television stars and film directors, on drug-related and prostitution charges. In early January, Jaycee Chan, son of Chinese kung fu star Jackie Chan, was sentenced to six months in prison in Beijing for drug offenses.

The Beijing Trade Association for Performances said in September it would not hire any stars involved in drug abuse or prostitution.