French Gendarmerie Authorized to Use Drones on Andorra Border Against Smuggling

French authorities in the Ariège prefecture have authorised the gendarmerie to deploy drones equipped with cameras along the border with Andorra to combat smuggling and irregular border crossings.

The measure, formalised through a prefectural decree, will run for an initial three months. It allows up to two drones to operate simultaneously in strategic locations, capturing, recording and transmitting images in real time as part of border surveillance duties.

The initiative targets cross-border trafficking of prohibited goods, particularly tobacco from Andorra, as well as unauthorised movements of people. Officials describe the department as facing numerous such illegal flows, exacerbated by the challenging mountainous terrain that limits traditional policing methods.

Operations will focus on key road axes including the RN20, RN22 and RN320, along with nearby border municipalities such as L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre and Mérens-les-Vals. Interventions will remain targeted and sporadic over the authorised period.

The prefecture deems the technology essential, citing the vast area to monitor and the terrain's complexity. Unlike some operations, no advance public notice will be given to avoid undermining effectiveness, though all uses will follow strict legal oversight with records of each deployment and subsequent administrative review.

The move highlights ongoing efforts to address tobacco smuggling driven by price differences between Andorra and France, a persistent issue in the region. It also reflects broader European trends in using aerial surveillance for sensitive border zones.