CHANGSHA - Xie Dong, a well-known Chinese pop singer, has been detained again for drug abuse, according to police in Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan province, on Monday.

Police said Xie was caught on the spot while taking drug in a hotel room.

This was the third time that Xie was detained for drug abuse. The 48-year-old pop song singer, who won his fame for his hit song of "Smile" in 1990s, was first caught in 2007, and for the second time in 2008.

Police said Xie was receiving a compulsive drug rehabilitation. As a recidivist, he may face a charge of re-education through labor for more than half a year.

Xie served as an anti-drug volunteer in a number of local anti-drug activities, after his first detention. His singing career has been dampened by the drug scandals.