Andorran Police Arrest 12 in Week of Violence, Drugs, and Drink-Driving

Police make 12 arrests over the past week amid violence, drugs, and traffic offences

Andorran police carried out 12 detentions last week linked to gender violence, public health crimes, and traffic safety violations, including a serious early Wednesday incident at El Tarter.

Officers responded to a report of a woman allegedly assaulted in public by her partner, a 40-year-old man. As emergency services attended to her, she stated he had fled driving a car while intoxicated. Police located the vehicle parked nearby, but the suspect attempted to escape upon spotting them. After a chase, they intercepted him; he registered 1.99 grams of alcohol per litre in his blood. He faces suspected charges relating to offences against physical and moral integrity, public function, and collective security.

In public health cases, police on Monday night stopped a vehicle at the Riu Runer border involving a 29-year-old man and 40-year-old woman. The driver refused a saliva test for drugs and was detained. A search of the passenger uncovered 0.4 grams of cocaine, 1.1 grams of tusi, 9.2 grams of heroin, and 1.9 grams of marijuana, leading to her arrest.

Traffic enforcement yielded further arrests. On Tuesday in Andorra la Vella, a 22-year-old driver with a court-suspended licence had 1.08 g/l alcohol. Later in Sant Julià de Lòria, a 49-year-old motorcyclist fled a checkpoint, was pursued and caught with 1.44 g/l alcohol and a revoked licence. Seven other men, aged 26 to 55, were held for drink-driving with levels from 0.87 to 2.71 g/l. A 43-year-old man was detained at Pas de la Casa after refusing a breath test while evading a control.

Separately, the government has approved a new regulation on police firearms possession, carrying, and use, along with coercive measures. The 15-article rule, developing the Qualified Police Corps Law, limits firearms to situations posing grave risk to life, physical integrity, or public safety. Interventions must adhere to principles of congruence, timeliness, and proportionality.

It also sets conditions for weapon possession and carrying, mandatory and continuous agent training, temporary prohibitions on carrying arms, and requirements to register, monitor, and review every use of force. The measure aims to prevent improper application, enhance legal safeguards for citizens and officers, and was endorsed by a positive Police Council report.