44 Shops Inspected in Batam Illegal Cigarette Crackdown

BATAM — Batam Customs and the Batam City Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) conducted a joint excise operation from 27 October to 6 November 2026. The joint team inspected 44 shops across Batam as part of Customs’ second Operation to Secure Sources of Revenue (ASAP II).

“ASAP II uses an upstream and downstream monitoring strategy to tackle the circulation of illegal cigarettes. In Batam, we are implementing this through joint operations involving several agencies, combining enforcement with education for traders. This effort also supports the optimisation of state revenue from excise,” said Agung Widodo, head of the Batam Customs Office.

In the first phase, from 27 to 30 October 2026, the joint team visited 21 shops in Sungai Langkai, Tembesi, Sagulung, Batu Aji, Sekupang, Batam Kota and Bengkong. The second phase ran from 3 to 6 November 2026 and covered 23 shops in the Batu Selicin and Nagoya shopping areas, Nongsa, Kabil and Batu Aji. The operation moved into new areas, expanding the scope of monitoring.

Across the two phases, the joint team took enforcement action against nine shops, seizing a total of 42,626 illegal cigarettes: 17,087 in the first phase and 25,539 in the second. The brands seized included HD, HMIND, HMILD, OFO, UFO, T3 Bold, R7 Bold, Rave, PSG, Vega and Manchester. The seized goods were estimated to be worth around Rp64 million, with potential state revenue losses of about Rp41.8 million. Officers then took all the evidence to the Batam Customs Office for further action in accordance with the applicable regulations.

“Through joint operations, our monitoring is not focused solely on enforcement; it also includes guidance and education for business operators, so that they understand and comply with the applicable excise rules,” Agung said.

Batam Customs will continue to strengthen cooperation among agencies to combat the circulation of illegal cigarettes. The effort is intended to create a healthy business climate for operators who comply with the rules. Batam Customs urged anyone aware of suspected illegal cigarette distribution to report it via the 1500225 hotline or its official account, @beacukaibatam.