‘Emily in Paris’ actor arrested in Japan for drug smuggling
The news just broke that Tony-nominated playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris was arrested at Naha Airport in Japan on November 16, 2025, after Japanese customs officials say they found a small quantity of MDMA (a.k.a. ecstasy) in his carry-on luggage. The Associated Press reports Japanese officials as saying that the amount recovered was about 780 milligrams (0.78 grams) and that Harris was detained on suspicion of violating Japan’s strict narcotics laws.
When Harris arrived in Okinawa after traveling from London with a layover in Taiwan, customs officers inspected his bag on arrival at Naha Airport and discovered the illegal substance. Since his arrest, Harris has remained in custody in Japan while investigators determine whether to indict him.
In Japan, suspects can be held for a period while police and prosecutors investigate before filing charges; and narcotics convictions can carry lengthy sentences. People reports that, if convicted on smuggling or related narcotics charges he could face several years in prison. If there’s any up side for Harris, it’s that Japanese authorities have characterized the arrest as a smuggling suspicion rather than an accusation of organized trafficking. Several reports noted that customs suspect the drug was for personal use because of the small amount found.
The 36-year-old Harris is an American playwright, screenwriter, producer and actor who rose to prominence with the provocative 2018 play Slave Play, which earned multiple Tony nominations and made Harris a leading — and often controversial — voice in contemporary American theatre. He has since stretched out into film and television as a writer and performer.
Harris was a co-writer/producer on the A24 film Zola, has credits on HBO’s Euphoria, and has acted in projects including the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot and the feature The Sweet East. His work is noted for confronting race, sexuality and power with a deliberately provocative style.
On TV, Harris has appeared in Netflix’s Emily in Paris (season 2), credited with the role of Grégory Elliott Duprée, a recurring character who intersects with the show’s ensemble in the Paris fashion and social scenes. He is more widely known in industry circles for his stage and film writing than for leading TV roles, according to IMDb.
Prosecutors in Okinawa will have to decide whether to indict after the statutory investigative period. If indicted, Harris would face trial in Japan. Entertainment Weekly reported a possible maximum prison term in the range of up to about seven years for serious narcotics offenses – though exact penalties depend on the statute and final charges. It’s also been noted that even if the quantity is small, Japan’s legal process can be slow and unforgiving for drug-related offenses.
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Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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