'Slave Play' writer Jeremy O. Harris arrested for drug smuggling

Entertainment Dec 05, 2025

Jeremy O. Harris, the playwright behind the Tony-nominated Slave Play, was arrested at Okinawa's Naha Airport on November 16 after customs officers found less than a gram of MDMA in his bag.
He's now facing serious charges under Japan's tough narcotics laws, which come with strict penalties—even for small amounts.

What's happening now

Harris, 36, is being held at a police station in Tomigusuku city while prosecutors move forward with formal charges.
He'd flown to Okinawa from Britain via Taiwan for a vacation before his arrest.
Japan is known for its zero-tolerance approach to drugs, so this case is a reminder that even tiny amounts can mean big trouble here.