Over 22 seizures carried out at Cagliari-Elmas airport, with 5,341 pieces of shells and pebbles and 31 kilos of sand found. And more than 100 kilos of sand, pebbles and shells, compared to 39 seizures, discovered in the ports of Alghero and Olbia.
It is the result of a year of controls, aimed at combating illicit trafficking in the Sardinian terminals of pebbles, sand and shells coming from the coasts of the island, carried out by the officials of the Excise, Customs and Monopolies (ADM) Agency in synergy with the soldiers of the Guardia di Finanza and with airport security personnel.
Almost all passengers who, during 2021, hid this type of "goods" in their baggage in open violation of Regional Law n.16 of 28.07.2017, declared that they ignored the environmental legislation.
For such violations, however, an administrative sanction ranging from 500 to 3,000 euros is envisaged, in addition to the seizure of the material illegally withdrawn.
With the communication campaign "Bring it to the heart", put in place by ADM and the Sardinia Region during the summer season 2021, widely spread in ports, railway stations and airports, an attempt was made to sensitize travelers on the issue of respect for the environment and of the marine ecosystem, also informing about the heavy penalties foreseen. The communication strategy, although it has not made some holidaymakers returning to their countries of origin desist from the temptation to bring memories of Sardinia with them, testifies to the commitment on the territory in safeguarding and caring for the environment.
(Unioneonline / vl)