6.7 Million Illegal Cigarettes Seized in Mataram, Mostly Smuggled from East Java

A total of 6.7 million illegal cigarettes have been destroyed by the Mataram Customs Office. These illegal cigarettes, spanning various brands, are estimated to have caused state losses amounting to Rp 8.3 billion.

The illegal cigarettes are the result of 290 enforcement operations targeting excise evasion conducted between July 2025 and June 2026. In addition to the cigarettes, Mataram Customs also destroyed 29,575 grams of shredded tobacco (TIS), 2,820 litres of alcoholic beverages (MMEA), and 1,100 grams of unbranded medicines.

The Head of the Mataram Customs Office, Bambang Parwanto, stated that the total value of all destroyed illegal cigarettes reached approximately Rp 10.4 billion.

“These illegal goods are the result of 290 enforcement operations. There were both independent operations and joint operations involving the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) across Lombok Island, the TNI, the National Police, and the Prosecutor’s Office,” said Bambang following the destruction of State-Owned Goods (BMMN) at his office on Thursday (10/09/2026).

Bambang emphasised that the state losses resulting from the 6.7 million illegal cigarettes are estimated at Rp 8.3 billion. “This figure has increased from last year,” Bambang noted.

Majority of Illegal Cigarettes from East Java

Bambang claimed that none of the seized illegal cigarettes were produced on Lombok Island. The cigarettes were mostly smuggled from East Java through two main routes.

“The origin of all these goods is not from Lombok; most are from East Java. We are monitoring two routes: via e-commerce platforms using expedition services, and through crossings at Lembar Port,” he explained.

In addition to the distribution routes, officers also discovered methods involving the use of counterfeit excise stamps and the manipulation of cigarette packaging. For instance, packaging with an excise stamp for 16 sticks was found to be filled with 20 sticks of various brands.

“The methods include using fake excise stamps, and some packages with stamps for 12 sticks were filled with 20 sticks. The brands are very diverse, including Lexus, with a total of 38 brands,” Bambang added.

Two Distributor Cases Enter Investigation

From the 290 enforcement operations, two case files involving illegal cigarette distributors have entered the investigation stage to be handed over to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Nevertheless, in accordance with laws governing state finance and fiscal matters, Mataram Customs can apply the principle of Ultimum Remedium to certain offenders.

“There are several offenders who paid fines through the Ultimum Remedium mechanism. This means they paid administrative fines so that the criminal investigation process was not pursued. However, please note that the goods are still seized and destroyed; they are not returned,” he asserted.

Bambang ensured that all seized cigarettes and illegal goods would not be returned. Some items were symbolically burnt, while others were buried at the Kebon Kongok landfill.

“Because the dry season makes open burning unfeasible, the goods were destroyed by being buried at the Kebon Kongok landfill. Before being buried, the goods were sprayed with water. The main point is to ensure they cannot be reused,” Bambang stated.

Meanwhile, evidence in the form of illegal alcoholic beverages and medicines had been destroyed earlier in the courtyard of the Mataram Customs Office by being poured out.