French Tourist Detained in Andorra with War-Style Replica Weapons During Macron Visit

Police in Pas de la Casa detained a 48-year-old French tourist on Monday morning last week as a suspected perpetrator of a crime against collective security for illegally carrying two long war-style weapons. The arrest occurred amid heightened security measures during French President and Co-Prince Emmanuel Macron's visit to Andorra.

Authorities acted on a report alerting them to a man staying in the Encamp parish locality who appeared to possess firearms. The individual had multiple prior convictions in France, including some for violent offences, and had visited Andorra in October when Macron's trip was originally scheduled.

Security teams monitored the suspect until specialists confirmed the items were unmodified replicas incapable of firing. The man had purchased them from a local shop in Pas de la Casa that sells only non-functional replicas. Despite their inoffensive nature, police proceeded with the detention as a precaution linked to the presidential visit.

Further checks revealed the suspect was staying in a hotel room with a window overlooking the Trampolí area, where Macron's helicopter landed after flying in from Toulouse. He was held until Macron's entourage had fully departed the site, then released that afternoon on prosecutor's orders. He will likely face judicial proceedings for the illegal weapons possession charge.

The incident formed part of broader police operations during the visit. In parallel arrests at Pas de la Casa, officers detained a 33-year-old non-resident for breaching an expulsion order, constituting a crime against public administration. Separately, on Friday morning at the Riu Runer border crossing, a 27-year-old tourist was arrested for a public health offence after being found with 1.3 grams of cocaine.

Over the weekend in Encamp, police arrested a 63-year-old driver for a collective security crime following a material-damage accident on the Carretera dels Cortals. He fled the scene but was quickly located, testing positive at 3.34 to 3.37 grams of alcohol per litre of blood. This was one of six drink-driving arrests that period, with others aged 21 to 44 recording rates from 0.87 to 1.48 grams per litre. Another 53-year-old was detained overnight at Riu Runer for driving with a suspended licence, a crime against the administration of justice. On Tuesday night in Andorra la Vella, a 39-year-old man faced charges for smashing a shop window in Santa Coloma, with repair costs around €1,300.