Andorra Appoints 9 New Police Officers to Combat Smuggling

Guillem Casal, Andorra's Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock and government spokesperson, announced on Wednesday the appointment of nine new police officers in a training period. Proposed by Justice and Interior Minister Ester Molné, the decision fills spots in a recent call for 15 positions, paving the way for 24 additional officers to join the force of roughly 270 agents.

The appointees and remaining candidates will undergo nine months of joint training, with plans for them to enter the force on probation by late 2026. Officials said the expansion targets tobacco smuggling and aims to create a fixed surveillance unit at Pas de la Casa, building on measures outlined last October.

Casal shared the updates at the post-Council of Ministers press conference in Andorra la Vella, alongside other approvals. These included almost €1.6 million in study grants for the 2025-2026 academic year, aiding 1,251 students in Andorra's three education systems, locally and abroad. Breakdowns cover compulsory education (€977,817), school meals (€749,000), materials (€196,000), transport and related costs (over €33,000), and higher studies (€594,000 for 268 students). An extra €13,500 went to 12 National Study Award winners, aimed at boosting family purchasing power and education access.

The Council approved a €962,867 Centre for Wildlife Recovery in Canillo near Pont de Molleres, a 10-month national-interest project. It will move and modernize facilities from Santa Coloma, adding a hospital zone with operating theatre, ICU, treatment and quarantine rooms, enclosures for mammals and birds, and support for fauna health surveillance like sampling and analysis.

Further works received €122,083 for renovations at the Canillo dog shelter's administrative building. Changes include a new reception area, standalone veterinary clinic, staff office with changing rooms, and pre-treatment cleaning room, without halting daily operations.

The executive also allocated €372,422 for conservation and architectural lighting upgrades at Sant Martí de la Cortinada church. Linked to the 2030 Cultural Strategic Plan and Andorra's Romanesque UNESCO bid, the two-phase effort starts in Q1 2026 and involves drainage improvements, interior repainting, crack repairs, electrical and lighting renewal, roof replacement, and restoration of movable heritage items.