U.S. thespian and writer Jeremy O Harris, best known for the Tony-nominated production Slave Play, was detained in November at an international terminal in Japan on suspicion of trying to bring in illegal drugs into the country, officials announced.
Harris, 36, was intercepted on 16 November at Naha airport, located on Okinawa, after a border inspection agent found 0.78 grams of a crystal material containing the synthetic narcotic MDMA in his tote bag, according to a official statement.
He was immediately arrested on suspicion of violating Japan’s strict Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act.
Regional customs officials filed a criminal accusation with the public prosecutor to commence formal charging proceedings against the individual.
A police official in Tomigusuku, Okinawa, confirmed that Harris remains in custody. The official did not elaborate on whether Harris has admitted to the charges.
Presently, it is unclear whether the artist has retained legal representation in Japan. Inquiries to his management team were not immediately returned.
Reports indicate Harris had arrived in Okinawa for tourism, journeying from Britain with a layover in Taiwan. Okinawa is a frequent tourist spot to the southwest of Tokyo, known for its coastlines and U.S. bases.
Japan enforces some of the most severe narcotics regulations among developed nations. Possession and smuggling even small amounts of banned drugs typically leads to legal proceedings.
International visitors arrested in Japan for alleged drug offences in recent years include former Australian rugby league player Blake Ferguson in 2021. In a famous 1980 case, ex-Beatles member Paul McCartney was detained after landing in Tokyo with marijuana and was subsequently barred from the country for a period of time.
Beyond his stage writing, Jeremy O Harris is also known for his acting role in the series Emily in Paris and for producing the HBO drama Euphoria.
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