She and her parents made just ¥5,000 from their highly-illegal sideline. And once they were busted, the error of their ways was to cost them almost ten times that in financial penalties and a long stint of jail time. That was the price of their making synthetic cannabis.
Chen Li is an undergraduate student majoring in chemistry in Changzhou, or was at least, until putting her studies to practical use to earn a few extra bob came to an end, courtesy of the Chinese legal system.
Given her field of study, Chen knew very well that synthetic cannabinoids are State-controlled-psychotropic drugs, yet went ahead in acquiring raw materials and processing them into THC oil, also known as cannabis oil.
She then put the oil into spray bottles to spray it onto tobacco cakes, which she disguised as decorative paintings, reported the Orange Urban Express on 11 May.
While Chen went on to sell her inventive product online, the student’s parents not only did not dissuade her, they also assisted in her illegal enterprise.
Despite them both having relatively high incomes and stable jobs, it is reported that Chen’s parents helped their daughter in order to alleviate her of the family burden.
But the Criminal Tribunal of the People’s Court of Changzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone didn’t quite see it that way.
The Court heard that an investigation of Chen’s activities found that the three had repeatedly sold a total of 295 grams of “tobacco” to five drug users through online stores, earning a total of ¥4,900.
Public security authorities seized spray bottles, measuring cups, electronic scales, suspected synthetic cannabinoids, courier-airway bills and other items from Chen’s family home.
The Court found Chen and her parents guilty of drug trafficking and sentenced the three to imprisonments ranging from 1 year and 3 months, to 3 years and 3 months, in accordance with the law. Also handed down were fines ranging from ¥20,000 to ¥40,000.
Speaking on Jiangsu TV, Wang Lijia, a judge with the Court on the case commented that criminals often mix synthetic drugs into snacks or inconspicuous foods that we consume in our daily lives. Bottled drinks, milk tea and coloured candy are common vehicles for synthetic drugs. Everyone must keep their eyes open.
That likely won’t be something Chen’s parents need look out for, given that the beautiful retirement they had been looking forward to has now turned simply into imprisonment.
