French tourists risk 6 years in prison after stealing sand in Sardinia

They claim to want to take the sand home as “suvinir” and that they did not know they were committing a violation.

The white sands of the beaches in Sardinia are considered public goods and, as such, are strictly forbidden to pull it off the island. For years locals have complained about stealing natural assets, including sand.

The French couple now risk severe punishment, although usually, such offences are fined up to 3,000 euros.

According to a law enacted in 2017, sand and shells trade is illegal.

Police found the sand in 14 plastic bottles. She was taken from the beach in Kia south of the island.

Tourists were taking the ferry to Toulon, France, at the time of the ban.

In 1994, authorities restricted access to the famous pink beach on Budel Island, northeast of Sardinia, since precious sand was being reduced annually.

Tourists, mostly European, take it with plastic bottles to sell later at online organised auctions.