Sardinian sand is a popular item for resale on sites like eBay, and smugglers attempt to remove tons of it every year.
In August of 2017, the island passed a law punishing sand, stone or seashell smugglers with fines and sentences of up to six years in prison....
Sand theft has been a longstanding problem: According to The Local, more than ten tons of beachfront dirt has been confiscated in the last decade from suitcases on outgoing flights from Olbia Airport.
Earlier this year, the airport partnered with nature preserves on the island to return stolen sand, pebbles and shells to their point of origin whenever possible. More than six tons has made its way back to Porto San Paolo alone.
100 pounds of sand is not a souvenir IMO and even if it is, ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it.
it's shocking and amazing how much beach sand people steal.
I seriously doubt they go to jail though.
In August of 2017, the island passed a law punishing sand, stone or seashell smugglers with fines and sentences of up to six years in prison....
Sand theft has been a longstanding problem: According to The Local, more than ten tons of beachfront dirt has been confiscated in the last decade from suitcases on outgoing flights from Olbia Airport.
Earlier this year, the airport partnered with nature preserves on the island to return stolen sand, pebbles and shells to their point of origin whenever possible. More than six tons has made its way back to Porto San Paolo alone.
Doesn't seem like an innocent mistake.
I don't think they thought anyone was going to take 1000 lbs though.
No, it said 90 lbs. total. How the hell could you fit 90 lbs of sand into a bottle??? And be strong enough to lift a 500 lb suitcase?
I don't think they thought anyone was going to take 1000 lbs though.
taking beach sand from hawaii is illegal too. Not sure the penalty but there is a law against it.
Pele's curse is still shared by locals (for removing sand, lava rocks, shells, etc.) but now it's also illegal.
so just in case the law doesn't de-motivate you, cursing you maybe would.