Pop singer given 7-month jail term for drugs

BEIJING - A Beijing court on Saturday sentenced popular singer Yin Xiangjie to a 7-month jail term with a fine of 2,000 yuan (about $333 dollars) for holding drugs.

The 45-year-old male singer, once an anti-drug ambassador, was the latest celebrity involved in a drug offense in China since a nationwide crackdown started last year.

According to court proceedings, police seized drugs including 13.93 grams of crystal meth and 1.02 grams of marijuana at Yin's home in Beijing's Chaoyang District in late December.

Yin admitted to the charges at the open trial held at the Chaoyang District People's Court on Saturday, saying he felt "deep remorse."

He said he obtained the drugs because he felt distressed and had trouble sleeping.

The court said the evidence was clear and should apply to summary procedure. The sentence was adjudged at the court.

A Beijing native, Yin became famous for the song "Boat Tracker's Love" with fellow singer Yu Wenhua in 1993.

A string of celebrities, including movie and television stars and film directors, have been charged over drug-related offense. In early January, Jaycee Chan, son of Chinese kung fu star Jackie Chan, also a well-known anti-drug ambassador, was sentenced to six months in prison in Beijing for drug offenses.