American Playwright Jeremy O. Harris Arrested for Drug Smuggling

UPDATE: American playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris has been arrested in Okinawa, Japan, on suspicion of drug smuggling. The arrest occurred on November 16, 2023, at Naha Airport, where authorities discovered 0.78 grams of the psychedelic drug MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.

Harris, age 36, was apprehended after arriving from London via Taiwan for a sightseeing trip. According to Tatsunori Fukuda, a spokesperson for Okinawa Regional Customs, the drug was found in a tote bag he was carrying. Harris was taken into custody by the Tomishiro police, who have since filed a criminal complaint with the Naha District Prosecutors’ Office for further investigation.

Officials believe the MDMA was intended for Harris’s personal use and did not discover any additional drugs in his luggage. The investigation is ongoing, and police have not disclosed whether Harris has commented on the charges.

This incident comes as Japan maintains strict laws against drug smuggling, with offenders facing severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.

Harris is best known for his provocative play, “Slave Play,” which premiered off-Broadway in 2018, earning a Tony nomination for Best Play. The work sparked heated discussions around race and sexuality, making Harris a prominent figure in the arts community. He has also appeared in the rebooted “Gossip Girl” and served as a co-producer on HBO’s acclaimed series “Euphoria.”

As this story develops, it raises questions about the implications of Harris’s arrest on his career and the broader impact on discussions surrounding drug use in the arts community.

Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding situation as authorities continue their investigation.