Jeremy O. Harris, the Tony-nominated playwright and actor, has been arrested inโข Japanโฃ on suspicion of violating the country’s Narcotics and Psychotropics Control โActs. Authorities detained โHarris at an airport near โฃNaha, Okinawa, after allegedly discovering drugs in his carry-on tote bag, according to police reports.
The arrest โคof the rising star, known for โhis groundbreaking play slave Play and recent work in television and film, underscores Japan’s notoriously strict drug โฃlaws. A conviction could result in a sentence of โขup to seven years in prison. Harris remains in custody in Tomigusuku, and it โis currently unclear if he has made a statement regarding the allegations.
Harris gained widespread recognition โคfollowing the success of Slave Play, which โขreceived 12 tony Award nominations. โBeyond his playwriting, he has expanded his creative portfolio to include โscreenwriting and acting. He co-wrote the 2021 film Zola and contributedโ to the secondโข season of HBO’s Euphoria.
His acting credits include appearances on Gossip Girl,Emily in Paris,andโ The Sweet East. He is currently featuredโฃ in Erupcja, an upcoming film starring charliโฃ XCX.
Japan’s stringent anti-drug โฃpoliciesโข have โensnaredโฃ high-profile figuresโฃ inโ the past.In 1980,โ Paul McCartney was briefly detained in Tokyo afterโ arriving with marijuana in his luggage, ultimatelyโ spending nine โdays in prison before his release. The incident highlights the serious consequences facing โคindividuals accused of โคdrug-related offensesโ within the Japanese legal system.