Tourists facing up to six years in jail for stealing sand

Aerial view of the famous Cala Luna Beach in Sardinia, Italy. Location: Gulf of Orosei, Province of Nuoro, East Sardinia.

A French couple could be in for a six-year stint in jail after taking quite a lot of sand from a beach in Sardinia.

The couple was caught with 40 kilograms of sand, which they reportedly tried to pass off as a “souvenir”. Nice try, guys.

Italian newspaper Corrierre della Sera reported the sand was found in 14 plastic bottles inside the couple’s SUV as they tried to board a ferry to Toulon in France.

The couple claimed they did not know removing sand was a criminal offence and said they were taking the sand as a “souvenir”.

The Italian island is famous for its pristine beaches, which, according to News.com.au, are a victim of mass sand theft.

Each year, several tonnes of sand are reportedly taken from the beaches, with bottles of the stuff being sold on eBay.

In 2017 Sardinia introduced a new rule that would see those stealing sand facing up to €3,000 ($A4915) in fines.

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