GUANGZHOU: The trial of suspected drug kingpin Liu Zhaohua took a twist yesterday, after defence lawyers revealed that the court had sent samples of the drug he was accused of manufacturing for further tests.

"We kept insisting that what Liu had manufactured and sold was medicine, not so-called Ice. Therefore, we asked for further tests," said lawyer Chen Dailong.

Liu Zhaohua, 41, who was accused of having made more than 18 tons of Ice, or methamphetamine hydrochloride, appeared at a two-day trial at the end of last month at Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court.

The trial ended without a verdict.

Liu, along with his wife and four other defendants, denied all charges.

However, prosecutors said that products made by Liu were found to be Ice after testing by the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department.

Chen did not say where the samples would be sent for further testing.

"We originally asked for further tests by an international body or quarantine organization since test results from local police should not be regarded as authoritative," Chen said.

"But anyway, the approval of further tests shows the fairness of the court," said Chen, adding that he is waiting for the trial to be reopened.

Liu Yuechun, Liu Zhaohua's elder sister, said that she is desperately waiting for the results of the tests.

"We are waiting for the final test results, which might prove what he made was not a drug," she said.

However, the court yesterday would not say when tests would be completed and when the trial would be reopened.

(China Daily 07/06/2006 page3)