A French tourist has been fined €1000 (NZ$1760) for trying to smuggle sand out of Sardinia. The unidentified traveller was stopped with 2kg of sand in plastic bottles at Elmas Airport. The Italian island is famous for its pristine white sands, and light-fingered tourists can face fines of up to €3000 if they try to bring it home with them. A Facebook page was set up to highlight the issue, which locals say has been going on for many years. The online group "Sardinia, robbed and plundered", shares photos of plastic bottles and bags filled with sand.

Source: Stuff September 06, 2020 21:22 UTC