Montaner calls for tougher action against smugglers in Pas de la Casa: “The bleeding must be stopped”

The president of Andorra Endavant, Carine Montaner, has called for stronger measures to tackle the situation in Pas de la Casa surrounding tobacco smuggling and the episodes of tension associated with the activity.

The statements come after La Veu Lliure published footage showing a dispute between two individuals allegedly linked to smuggling, during which several machetes can be seen. 

Preocupació al Pas de la Casa per la presència de matxets i armes blanques entre presumptes contrabandistes pic.twitter.com/jJ9yywLKkL

— La Veu Lliure (@laveulliure) August 13, 2026

Montaner believes that firm action is needed and said that “the bleeding must be stopped when it comes to smuggling and Pas de la Casa, which is terrible.”

Coordination with France

In this regard, the president of Andorra Endavant is calling for tougher police controls and greater coordination with French authorities. “We need much tougher police controls, with coordination with France,” she said.

Montaner warned that the situation cannot continue in this way and placed the safety of residents in Pas de la Casa and the country as a whole among her priorities. 

“This cannot continue this way, for the residents of Pas de la Casa, for the security of the country, for everything,” she said.

Her statements once again highlight the need to strengthen surveillance not only at the main border crossings, but also along secondary roads and trails allegedly used by smuggling networks to transport tobacco on foot and avoid border controls.

Growing concern over the situation in Pas de la Casa

The recurrence of these incidents has contributed to a growing sense of insecurity among some residents of Pas de la Casa and increased concern over the activity of smuggling networks in areas close to the border.

In response to the situation, the Andorran Government activated a contingency plan last year in coordination with French authorities, with the aim of strengthening controls and making it more difficult for these networks to operate.

Despite the measures adopted, recent incidents suggest that the problem has not disappeared and that alleged smugglers continue to look for alternative routes and secondary trails to avoid border controls.