TOKYO (AP) — Acclaimed American playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris, known for his Tony-nominated “Slave Play,” was arrested in Japan on suspicion of smuggling the psychedelic drug known as ecstasy, officials said Saturday.
Harris was arrested at Naha Airport on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa on Nov. 16 on charges of violating customs laws when officials found 0.78 grams of the crystallized drug, also known as MDMA, in the container of a large bag he was carrying, according to Okinawa Regional Customs spokesman Tatsunori Fukuda.
Harris, 36, had flown out of London's Heathrow Airport two days earlier and transited to Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport before arriving in Naha for sightseeing, Fukuda said. Okinawa is a popular resort destination with mild weather all year round.
Fukuda said Harris was arrested on the spot and taken into custody by Tomishiro police, who filed a criminal complaint with the Naha District Prosecutor's Office on Thursday for further investigation and possible charges.
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, adding that it could not be disclosed whether Harris made any comments on the case.
Police declined to confirm details.
Those convicted of drug smuggling in Japan could face years in prison.
Harris burst onto the art scene with Slave Play, written while he was still a graduate student at the Yale School of Drama. The play premiered off-Broadway in 2018, sparking controversy and even a petition to cancel the production with its provocative mix of racial, class and sexual taboos. The following year it moved to Broadway, receiving a Tony nomination for Best Play but not winning the award.
In addition to small acting roles, he played himself in the rebooted Gossip Girl and co-produced several episodes of the hit HBO series Euphoria.
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Associated Press writer Mallika Sen in New York contributed to this report.
