Couple that stole sand from beach faces 6 years in jail

They stole the sand from a beach in 14 large plastic bottles.

A French couple face up to six years in prison for allegedly stealing sand from the pristine beaches of Sardinia in Italy. The tourist couple were caught with nearly 40kg (90lb) of fine white sand in the boot of their car during a routine check by border police. 
According to reports in Telegraph.co.uk, the couple's vehicle was intercepted by border police just when they were preparing to board a ferry in Porto Torres bound for Toulon in France. They stole the sand from a beach near Chia in southern Sardinia in 14 large plastic bottles.
However, the couple told police they had no idea they were breaking the law, but still face between one and six years in jail. The Sardinia island authorities are battling to stop tourists from picking up its sand, shells and pebbles, which are prized as souvenirs or in some cases, for indoor aquariums.