Chinese Court Revises Drug Case Ruling of Chemistry Professors, Upholding Strong Anti-Drug Stance

A Chinese court recently updated its decision in a prominent drug case linked to former chemistry professors, showcasing the nation's resolve to enforce legal standards rigorously concerning drug crimes. Following a retrial, the Hubei High People’s Court found former academic professionals Yang Zhaohui, Zhang Zhengbo, Bao Junxi, and Feng Jing guilty of various drug-related offenses, including smuggling and manufacturing narcotics.

In its latest ruling, the court imposed life sentences on Yang and Zhang while maintaining previous eight-year sentences for Bao and Feng. This verdict comes after the same court had issued lighter sentences earlier in 2023, prompting Hubei prosecutors to describe those decisions as flawed and insufficiently punitive.

A senior prosecutor, Hu Yaoxian, remarked that the ruling reflects the law’s firm stance on narcotics, which are classified strictly as substances that can cause addiction and are under governmental control. He noted that the case serves to educate defendants about the negative impact of their actions, with an overarching aim to deter future drug offenses.

This case, which has drawn public attention partly due to Zhang’s background as an associate chemistry professor, highlights the issue of new psychoactive substances in China. Initially, the alleged drug operations were masked under the guise of a legitimate chemical business, with the group accused of producing methcathinone for international sales.

After a prolonged legal battle that began with their arrest in 2015, the quartet faced various legal proceedings, resulting in initial convictions and subsequent appeals. This latest development marks an important revision in the judicial handling of a case that underscores the serious implications of drug-related offenses in the country.