Liu Yingquan, 59, a former researcher and tutor of doctoral students with the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicines, was found to have illegally produced methadone, a highly addictive narcotic used as a sedative and strictly controlled by the drug administrations of China, between 1998 and 2000.

Using his medical expertise, Liu developed a kind of drug called Duyinxiao, a mix of methadone and other raw materials, which he distributed to other drug dealers.

Over 70,000 Duyinxiao pills were confiscated in his home, and the court said he made a total of 30,535 grams over the past three years.

Liu was stripped of his political rights for life and his property was seized, the court announced.

Song Wenjiang, a key drug distributor working for Liu, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, deprived of his political rights for three years and fined 30,000 yuan (US$3614.5) on charges of trafficking.

On December 28, 2000, Song, a 47-year-old jobless Beijing resident, was caught by police when he attempted to sell the drug in his home.

Between 1999 and 2000, Song bought 720 grams of the drug from Liu Yingquan, according to the court.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2001)