Police in Xianyang, Shaanxi province, arrested three people suspected of drug trafficking on November 15 – and the police said that one of the suspects had apparently resorted to this in order to help pay for her mother's medical expenses, Chinese Business View reported on November 25.

The mother suffers from kidney problems and her daughter, surnamed Lian, who is 37-year-old, made 1,800 yuan ($271) in her dealings.

Lian thought that drug-trafficking is a quick way to make a lot of money, and volunteered to join the other suspects, the report said.

"I am useless as a daughter. I could not even make enough money to treat my sick mother," Lian was quoted as saying.

The police confiscated a total of 11.5 grams of heroin from the three suspects.

Drug trafficking is a capital offense in China.