Entertainers Deny Smoking Marijuana During Interrogations

[Wilbur]

At least six entertainers denied smoking marijuana when questioned by police or investigators yesterday afternoon and last night.

Of the six, Tuo Chung-kang and Chu Chung-heng, both hosts of a TV program of SANLIH Entertainment Television, went to the Chungho Police Precinct at noon yesterday, in the company of lawyers, brokers and other entertainers.

Both Tuo and Chu denied allegations, and then undertook a urine test at the police station. They were then sent to the Panchiao District Prosecutor's Office for further interrogation, but were all released later on bail of NT$30,000.

Meanwhile, two actors, Chang Li-wei and Hong Chi-teh, also showed up at the Chungho Police Precinct yesterday afternoon. They also denied smoking marijuana, but were also interrogated later by Panchiao prosecutors.

On another front, Huang Chung-kun, a popular singer, was questioned by investigators of the Taipei Division of the Bureau of Investigation under the Ministry of Justice over his alleged practice of smoking the second-grade "soft drug." But Huang denied the allegation during the entire interrogation process, and investigators raided his residence in Taipei, but found no marijuana. He was finally released after being questioned by prosecutors.

Last night, actress Hsiao Shu-shen also denied her smoking the drug when questioned by investigators.

Another singer Huang Shun-chi, actor Jung Hsing and his younger brother all denied their involvement in the scandal when interrogated by investigators and prosecutors.

All the entertainers mentioned above were zeroed in on by investigators and prosecutors when conducting probes into the alleged planting of marijuana in the yard of a luxurious house located on Linyi Street, Taipei and owned by Cheng Po-geng.

Of them, Chu acknowledged that he was acquainted with Cheng Po-geng, who was accused of planting marijuana in the yard of his house in Linyi Street, Taipei, and selling marijuana to quite a few entertainers.

But Chu stressed that ever since he found Cheng planting marijuana, he hasn't contacted Cheng at all.

But when investigating Cheng's case, investigators found that more than 10 entertainers maintained regular contacts with Chen Chiu-mu, an operator of a night club and quite familiar with Cheng.

Chen Chiu-mu was allegedly engaged in sales of marijuana planted by Cheng to over 10 entertainers, with Chen and entertainers using "secret codes" to handle sales of the second-grade drug. As a result, investigators and prosecutors resolved to question those entertainers in question.

Despite the fact that marijuana is an illicit narcotic in Taiwan, over 60,000 people abuse the second-grade "soft drug, " the National Bureau of Controlled Drugs under the Cabinet-level Department of Health reported yesterday.

According to bureau Director-General Chien Chun-sheng, at least 67,000 people smoked marijuana in Taiwan from 2003-2005, making it the third most abused drug among Taiwan's youth.

Although it is the Ministry of Justice's authority to decide whether the drug should be legalized for medical treatment purposes, Chien said that the DOH prefers not to make it a lawful substance for fear there would be no end to the trouble if it is legalized.

Abusing marijuana produces distorted perceptions and causes difficulties in thinking and problem solving in an abuser, making him or her a "lazybones," Chien said.


Newshawk: User - 420 Magazine
Source: The China Post
Pubdate: 8 December 2006
Copyright: 2006 The China Post
Contact: China Post Online - *^¤å³ø , Taiwan , News , Taiwan newspaper
Website: China Post Online - *^¤å³ø , Taiwan , News , Taiwan newspaper

[Pythaglio]

Well at least the propaganda is the same wherever you go. It's nice to be able to count on something in life.

[Wilbur]

they'd talk if we could get a hold of them. a bit of water torture and those entertainers would sing.

[Racefan]

^^^^^^