While digging deep into the sand near the sea shore for pirate’s treasure, two Italian children found a stash of marijuana weighing 2.5kg.

A family of four was holidaying on Montesilvano beach in the province of Pescara and the kids “started to dig a hole in the sand." They found a package, but it’s doubtful that it was buried there by pirates!

The "large, heavy" bag they uncovered between a road and rows of deckchairs contained what turned out to be "at least 2.5 kilos" of cannabis, according to police.

The boys, intrigued by the package, but unaware of the contents, showed their finding to their parents, who alerted the beach authorities, local media said. The lido’s manager then called the police.

In an attempt to catch the owners of the marijuana, police kept watch over the area, but no one came to claim the bag of pot.