10-year-old calls police to report dad’s illegal stash after getting scolded over homework

A 10-year-old Chinese boy after being chided for not finishing his homework reported his father to the police for illegally storing poppy husks.

The incident unfolded on January 9 in Yongning county, Ningxia Hui autonomous region of China.

The boy who is a primary school student was harshly reprimanded for not completing his homework. Upset, the boy left home in a huff to local shop and borrowed the owner's phone. He called the police and claimed that his father was illegally storing poppy husks at home.

According to the report by the South China Morning Post, the government keeps a close eye on poppy cultivation and anyone growing them without permission would face legal consequences from fines to imprisonment.

Officers from the Chengguan Police Station, responding to the report questioned the boy who shared what he knew. He showed the police the way to his house where they conducted a search and found eight shells hidden in a balcony cabinet.

Claiming the poppy husks were for medical use, the father admitted to possessing them. He was surprised to learn that his actions were illegal and led to such an extreme reaction from his son.

The anti-narcotics unit took over the case for further investigation. As per the report, China’s Public Security Administration Punishment Law, states that illegally transporting, buying, selling, storing, or using a small amount of poppy husks can result in detention of 10 to 15 days and a fine of up to 3,000 yuan (US$400).

The incident, which was first reported by Yinchuan News and Media Centre, led to humorous online reactions.

Social media uses debated whether the boy’s actions were an act of justice or petty revenge.

“Teachers, better make sure you do not have any skeletons hidden in your wardrobe!” one user joked.

Another quipped, “The police should reward him with extra homework in all subjects!”