Prominent American playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris was arrested in Japan on November 16, 2023, for allegedly smuggling the psychedelic drug ecstasy, also known as MDMA. Customs officials apprehended Harris at Naha Airport on Okinawa, where he was found with 0.78 grams (approximately 0.0275 ounces) of the drug contained in a tote bag he was carrying.
According to a spokesperson from the Okinawa Regional Customs, Tatsunori Fukuda, Harris had arrived in Japan after departing from London’s Heathrow Airport two days prior, with a layover at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan. The playwright was reportedly in Okinawa for sightseeing, a region known for its favorable climate and popular tourist attractions.
Upon his arrest, Harris was taken into custody by the Tomishiro police, who filed a criminal complaint with the Naha District Prosecutors’ Office for further investigation and potential indictment. Authorities did not discover any additional drugs in his luggage and believe that the MDMA was intended for personal use. Fukuda noted that the investigation is ongoing but could not disclose whether Harris made any comments regarding the allegations.
Japanese criminal law permits authorities to detain a suspect for up to 23 days prior to indictment. Prolonged pretrial detention can occur if the individual invokes their right to silence or contests the charges, a practice that has drawn criticism and is often referred to as “hostage justice.”
If convicted of drug smuggling, Harris could face a lengthy prison sentence in Japan. The playwright first gained significant attention in the arts community with his groundbreaking work, Slave Play, written during his time as a graduate student at the Yale School of Drama. The production premiered off-Broadway in 2018, sparking controversy due to its provocative themes surrounding race, class, and sexuality. It later transitioned to Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for Best Play, though it did not win.
In addition to his achievements in theatre, Harris has made appearances in various television shows, including a cameo as himself in the rebooted version of Gossip Girl and has served as a co-producer on several episodes of HBO’s acclaimed series Euphoria.
As of now, there has been no official statement from Harris’ representatives regarding the arrest. The situation continues to develop as authorities pursue their investigation.
