US playwright Jeremy O. Harris released 3 weeks after arrest in Japan for alleged drug smuggling

After three weeks in detention, acclaimed American playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris has been released from custody in Japan, where he had been held on suspicion of smuggling the psychedelic drug ecstasy, also known as MDMA.

The Tomishiro police department confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that Harris, 36, was freed on Monday. Authorities declined to specify whether the Tony-nominated playwright was released on bail or if he had left Japan following his release.

Harris, best known for creating the controversial and critically acclaimed “Slave Play,” was arrested on November 16 at Naha Airport on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa. Customs officials alleged he was carrying 0.78 grams (0.0275 ounces) of crystallized MDMA in a container inside his tote bag, a violation of Japanese customs law.

According to authorities, Harris had departed from London’s Heathrow Airport two days prior to his arrest and transited through Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport before arriving in Okinawa for sightseeing. Upon discovery of the substance, he was immediately taken into custody by Tomishiro police, who then forwarded the case to prosecutors for further investigation and potential indictment.

The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office has not confirmed whether charges against Harris have been dropped or if the investigation remains ongoing. Requests for comment from Harris’s representatives in the United States went unanswered as of Tuesday.

Japan’s criminal justice system allows investigators to detain suspects for up to 23 days before formal indictment, a practice that has drawn international criticism from human rights organizations for its potential to pressure suspects into confessions during extended periods of isolation.

Harris’s detention drew significant attention in theater and entertainment circles, where he has established himself as one of the most provocative and influential young voices in American drama. His arrest came at a time when his career has been gaining increasing prominence across multiple entertainment platforms.

Born in Virginia, Harris rose to prominence in the theater world with “Slave Play,” which he wrote while a graduate student at the Yale School of Drama. The play, which examines race, sex, power dynamics, and trauma through the lens of interracial relationships, sparked intense debate when it premiered off-Broadway in 2018 before moving to Broadway the following year. Though it received a record 12 Tony nominations—the most ever for a non-musical play—it did not win any awards, a shutout that itself generated controversy.

Beyond his theatrical work, Harris has expanded his presence in television and film. He appeared in Netflix’s popular series “Emily in Paris” and has made cameos as himself in the HBO Max reboot of “Gossip Girl.” Harris also served as a co-producer on several episodes of HBO’s Emmy-winning series “Euphoria,” further cementing his influence across different entertainment mediums.

Japan maintains some of the world’s strictest drug laws, with possession of even small amounts of illegal substances potentially resulting in years of imprisonment. The country’s approach to drug enforcement stands in stark contrast to the increasingly relaxed attitudes toward some substances in parts of the United States and Europe, making it a particularly risky destination for travelers unfamiliar with local regulations.

The circumstances surrounding Harris’s release remain unclear, as does the status of any potential legal proceedings against him. Neither Japanese authorities nor Harris’s team have provided details about any conditions attached to his release or whether he will face trial in the future.