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

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.