Malian Man on Trial in Andorra for Cocaine and Cannabis Trafficking

A 48-year-old Malian national from Ós de Civís is facing trial at Andorra's Tribunal de Corts on charges of cocaine and cannabis trafficking, with prosecutors alleging he operated a distribution network targeting clients in the Principat.

The case centres on whether his activities took place within Andorran jurisdiction or were confined to Spain. The Fiscalia is requesting a seven-year prison term, a €30,000 fine, permanent expulsion from Andorra, and forfeiture of seized items including €5,100 in cash from his home, €2,300 found in his backpack, precision scales, plastic bags, cutting agents, multiple phones, and an estimated €12,750 in profits from 295 grams of cocaine sold at €40-60 per gram.

The investigation began on 6 November 2024 when police in Aixovall stopped a motorcyclist carrying 10 grams of cocaine. The rider first blamed "Moroccans" in Ós de Civís but later identified the defendant, who lived and worked at a hotel there. A joint operation with Mossos d'Esquadra tracked his movements from Lleida. The next day, at the Runer River border post, officers noted his nervousness despite lacking a driving licence and travelling with a companion acting as chauffeur.

A first detector dog gave no clear signal, but a second focused on his genital area. During the search, a condom protruded from his anal cavity; he tried to push it back and required restraint. It contained 44 grams of cocaine, which police said could have been fatal if ruptured. He was intoxicated and has remained in pre-trial detention for 21 months.

Prosecutors cite phone messages, witness accounts from buyers, and seized materials to argue he made repeated trips to La Seu d'Urgell and Lleida for supplies, rejecting his personal-use claims. Witnesses confirmed buying both cocaine and cannabis from him in Ós de Civís.

The defendant admits the border seizure and occasional sales—about 10 times to one Andorran buyer and five to another—at cost price, using the scales to weigh portions. He insists all transactions occurred at his Spanish workplace, denying Andorran sales, cannabis dealing, prior body concealment, or export plans to Africa. He describes typical buys of 15-30 grams for 1-1.5 grams daily personal use, with total sales of 135-156 grams.

His lawyer challenges five of nine alleged pickups as unproven, seeks acquittal on cannabis counts based on one witness's claim of two 30-gram buys, and argues only the seized grams are confirmed. They request prison time limited to time served, a €4,050 fine based on €2,025 estimated profits, and five-year expulsion.

Due to illiteracy, limited Spanish, and comprehension issues under pressure—despite a report confirming standard capacities—a prison social educator assisted him. The president questioned him in Catalan, Spanish, and French, which he followed despite verbal struggles.

The court must now decide if he used Andorra as a market or sold sporadically from Spain. The sentence is due next Wednesday.