Photo taken on Nov. 9, 2014 shows the coastline of Cagliari, capital of Sardinia. (Xinhua/Xu Nizhi)
Over the past decade, authorities have seized nearly 10 tons of sand taken from Sardinia, which can be sold illegally online.
ROME, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- A French couple may spend up to six years behind the bars for taking almost 90 pounds of white sand from an Italian beach, local media reported on Tuesday.
The alledged theft took place in Sardinia, an island known for its picturesque beaches where the two French citizens had been on vacation.
Police discovered 14 plastic bottles packed with white sand on their car as they were about to board a ferry leaving for Toulon, France, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported.
Stealing of sand, pebbles and shells from the Sardinian beaches is a common problem, and there are illegal markets to sell them online, CNN reported.
Photo taken on Nov. 8, 2014 shows Cagliari, capital of Sardinia. (Xinhua/Xu Nizhi)
According to a protection law which came into effect in 2017, the pair could face a fine of up to 3,300 U.S. dollars and between one and six years' imprisonment.
The couple, both in their 40s, claimed that they were unaware of the law, and were taking the sand home to keep it as a "souvenir. But police say there are signs on the beaches in multiple languages alerting visitors to the regulations.
Over the past decade, authorities have seized nearly 10 tons of sand taken from Sardinia, the Local Italy reported.
