Japanese police release US playwright Jeremy O. Harris after drug arrest

FILE PHOTO: Jeremy O. Harris poses during the Met Gala, an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute with this year's theme 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' in New York City, New York, U.S., May 5, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

TOKYO, Dec 9 (Reuters) - American actor and playwright Jeremy O. Harris was released from custody in Japan on Monday after his arrest last month on suspicion of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country, a police spokesperson said.

Harris was detained on November 16 at Okinawa's Naha airport when a customs officer found 0.78 grams of crystal containing the synthetic narcotic MDMA in his bag.

Local prosecutors declined to confirm whether Harris had been charged with a crime.

Japan has some of the toughest drug laws among developed countries, imposing severe penalties for possession and smuggling offences.

(Reporting by Anton Bridge and Mariko Katsumura; Editing by Tom Hogue)