You're nicked: 10 unexpected ways to travellers could end up in jail

You don't need to be a drug mule or serious criminal to get in trouble with the law while on holiday. Here are 10 seemingly innocuous mistakes that could land you in jail.

Carrying prescription medicines

The Emirates is notorious for strict drug rules, which cover some prescription medicines too (even cold and flu remedies) unless properly documented. In 2018 a traveller was jailed for carrying anti-anxiety medications. The severe laws also apply to substances just washing around in your bloodstream or urine, and in 2008 a British tourist copped a four-year sentence for a micro-gram of cannabis stuck on his shoe sole.

Overstaying your visa

Two Instagram bloggers from Perth, on their way overland around the world, found out the hard way in 2019 that you shouldn't go flying drones in sensitive places. In this case, near a military base. In Iran. They were arrested in their hotel at gunpoint and dragged off to Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. They were lucky to be released after three months following a government prisoner-swap arrangement.

Wearing a bikini