American playwright Jeremy O. Harris arrested in Japan on suspicion of drug smuggling

A prominent American playwright and actor, Jeremy O. Harris, known for his Tony-nominated "Slave Play," has been arrested in Japan on suspicion of smuggling the psychedelic drug known as ecstasy, officials said Saturday

A prominent American playwright and actor, Jeremy O. Harris, known for his Tony-nominated "Slave Play," has been arrested in Japan on suspicion of smuggling the psychedelic drug known as ecstasy, officials said Saturday.

Harris was arrested at Naha Airport on Japan's southern island of Okinawa on Nov. 16 for an alleged violation of customs law when officials found 0.78 grams of the crystalized drug, also known as MDMA, in a container of a tote bag he was carrying, according to Okinawa Regional Customs spokesperson Tatsunori Fukuda.

Harris, 36, had left London's Heathrow Airport two days earlier and transited in Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport before arriving in Naha for sightseeing, Fukuda said. Okinawa is a popular resort destination with mild weather throughout the year.

Fukuda said Harris was arrested on the spot and taken into custody by the Tomishiro police, which filed a criminal complaint to the Naha District Prosecutors' Office Thursday for further investigation and possible indictment.

The authorities did not find any other drugs in his luggage and believe the MDMA was for his personal use. They are still investigating, Fukuda said, while adding that whether Harris made any comment on the case could not be released.