Andorra Police Arrest Two Men for Resisting in Tobacco Smuggling Bust
Authorities subdued the suspects after they abandoned a French car and fled on foot during a routine check. The tobacco haul fell below criminal levels but prompted charges for public authority offenses.
Key Points
- Two 29-year-old non-residents arrested at Pas de la Casa border for disobeying and resisting agents.
- Incident during joint Andorra-France anti-fraud patrol; suspects fled after ignoring stop order.
- Vehicle contained 1,300 tobacco packets worth over €5,000, treated as administrative violation.
- Case highlights ongoing anti-contraband efforts at key duty-free crossing.
Police in Andorra arrested two 29-year-old non-resident men at the Pas de la Casa border crossing this weekend, charging them with offences against public authority for disobeying and resisting police and customs agents.
The detentions took place during a joint anti-fraud patrol by Andorran police and customs officials from both Andorra and France. Agents observed a group of suspected smugglers placing bags of tobacco into the boot of a French-registered car. When ordered to stop for a check, the suspects ignored the instructions, drove a short distance, then abandoned the vehicle and tried to flee on foot.
Officers intercepted them, but the men put up violent resistance before being subdued. A search revealed 1,300 packets of tobacco in the boot, worth slightly more than €5,000. Officials confirmed the amount stays below the penal threshold, treating the smuggling as an administrative violation.
The case underscores persistent anti-contraband measures at Pas de la Casa, a key duty-free entry point. No additional information on the men's nationalities or the precise time of the incident has been disclosed.
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