On Monday a Chinese drug kingpin went on trial again accused of producing 17.06 tons of methamphetamine after prosecutors produced new evidence suggesting an earlier charge had underestimated the amount of drugs involved.

The 50-year-old accused, Chen Bingxi, was first brought to court in February accused of producing 12.36 tons of methamphetamine, according to Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court in southern Guangdong Province. Chen's cases are being dealt with by the Court. He also faces charges of trafficking and transporting drugs.

Prosecutors renewed their investigation into Chen's activities when an accomplice, Liu Zhaohua, was caught and tried. Liu's case revealed evidence indicating that Chen had produced more drugs than was thought.

Police in Guangdong found that 4.7 tons of 'ice" not included in the original charges had been sold. Profits were split between Chen and Liu, prosecutors told the court on Monday.

In less than 10 months the two allegedly produced a huge amount of 'ice" in a pesticide plant in Yinchuan, capital of northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The drugs were transported to the southern Guangdong Province for sale, prosecutors said.

Police busted Chen's drug ring in November 1999 when they found a large amount of 'ice" hidden in a warehouse in Guangzhou. Chen fled to Thailand but was brought back in 2003. His wife, Chen Baoyu, was on trial alongside her husband.

China had 720,400 drug addicts, according to latest official statistics.

(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2006)