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Turd Fergusen

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A French couple was arrested for stealing 88 pounds of protected white sand from an Italian beach while on vacation, according to a report.

The duo, a man and woman in their 40s, took the sand from the island of Sardinia, where it’s illegal to remove the natural resource, according to CNN.

Italian police in Porto Torres spotted the haul stuffed inside 14 plastic bottles while conducting routine checks on cars waiting to board ferries to France, the report said.

The couple were charged with aggravated theft and face up to a $3,300 fine and six years behind bars.

Story:
https://nypost.com/2019/08/20/couple-arrested-for-stealing-rare-white-sand-from-italian-beach/
 
But did they get to keep the sand???
No. Sardinia is a protected natural forest and home to the Nuragic civilization. Nothing can be removed from it and there are signs everywhere in all kinds of languages telling you exactly that. There is actually an illegal market for sand, rocks and shells acquired from there. Every year tons of material is recovered from people trying to smuggle it and at the end of the summer season all the seized stuff is returned to where it came from.

It is an island. Only so much ground to be had. Olbia airport alone confiscates over 2 tons of sand each year. Think how much sand would be left on those beaches if they didnt confiscate it.
 
After reading the story I was instantly reminded of this from THHGTTG

"... and it starts telling you things you actually need to know. Like the fact that the fabulously beautiful planet, Bethsellamin, is now so worried about the cumulative erosion caused by ten million visiting tourists a year, that any net imbalance between the amount you eat and the amount you excrete whilst on the planet, is surgically removed from your body weight when you leave. So every time you go to the lavatory there, it’s vitally important to get a receipt."
 
@Sudonim , thank you. The information you provided, really put what seemed a frivolous situation, into perspective. Yes, 80 lbs seemed a bit overboard, but it seemed silly to get in an uproar over. I see where, it is indeed a major issue, and quite serious. People, stop trying to take other countries home !
 
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