7.3 Million Sticks of Untaxed Illegal Cigarettes Destroyed in Semarang

The Semarang City Government (Pemkot) along with the Semarang Customs Office destroyed 7.39 million sticks of cigarettes and 3,318 litres of illegal alcoholic beverages on Wednesday (15/4/2026). The destroyed goods were the result of seizures from operations conducted between June and December 2025. The symbolic destruction took place in the courtyard of the Semarang City Hall. Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti and Head of the Semarang Customs Office Mochamad Syuhadak attended the event directly. “We, together with various stakeholders, are working to reduce the circulation of untaxed cigarettes,” Agustina said in her remarks. She emphasised the importance of maintaining a healthy trading climate in the Semarang residency area so that it is not disrupted by unfair competition from illegal products. In addition, she highlighted the crucial role of the Tobacco Excise Revenue Sharing Fund (DBHCHT). The DBHCHT received by the City of Semarang amounts to around Rp29 billion per year and is used to support the welfare of cigarette factory workers and health services. “Around twenty billion rupiah, up and down, depending on last year’s excise revenue, and we get our share. The shares have percentages, for example, 10 percent is used for health. Health for cigarette factory workers and their families. Then there is 20 percent for education, there are percentages for employment. Everything has its percentage,” Agustina explained.