Jeremy O. Harris, whose 2018 three-act production Slave Play earned a Tony nomination, is currently being held in Japan following drug-related allegations.
According to Reuters, Harris was arrested on Nov. 16 on suspicion of violating Japan’s Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act after a customs officer allegedly found 780 milligrams of a crystal substance containing MDMA in one of his bags at Naha Airport. A Tomigusuku police representative also confirmed he remains in custody, with the latest update arriving Thursday (Dec. 4) when customs officials formally submitted a criminal accusation to local prosecutors.
As of now, representatives for the Zola co-writer and Emily in Paris actor have not publicly addressed the situation.
Japan is known for having extremely strict drug laws. Harris isn’t the first high-profile figure to face consequences under the country’s system — Paul McCartney famously made global headlines in 1980 (highlighted in Morgan Neville’s new Man on the Run documentary) after being arrested there when marijuana was discovered in his luggage. The Beatles legend ended up detained for more than a week.
As The Hollywood Reporter noted, Harris had been scheduled to appear at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia this month. His planned appearance was tied to the launch of Erupcja, a project he stars in alongside Charli XCX. Harris also co-wrote and co-produced the film.
