Bali Customs Seizes 1.6 Million Illegal Cigarettes Up to May 2026
Customs officers in Bali have seized 1.6 million sticks of illegal cigarettes across 23 enforcement actions during the period of January–May 2026, in an effort to suppress the circulation of illegal excisable goods and prevent state losses.
“We are alert to various modes of operation, one of which is the distribution of illegal cigarettes,” said the Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Treasury (DJPb) Bali, Supendi, in Denpasar on Monday.
According to him, a portion of the illegal cigarettes targeted were not affixed with excise stamps and were distributed using various methods to evade official supervision.
One discovered method involved hiding illegal cigarettes among various other goods transported via expedition trucks.
One of the largest seizures occurred on 15 May 2026 on the Denpasar–Gilimanuk route, specifically in Abian Tuwung Village, Kediri District, Tabanan Regency. During this operation, officers seized approximately 1.4 million sticks of cigarettes without excise stamps. The enforcement successfully prevented potential state losses estimated at Rp1.3 billion.
In addition to illegal cigarettes, officers also intercepted the distribution of 177.45 litres of ethyl alcohol-containing beverages (MMEA) that were not affixed with excise stamps.
Up until May 2026, Bali Customs also conducted nine enforcement actions regarding narcotics, psychotropics, and precursors (NPP), with evidence reaching 1,015.04 grams of various classes of narcotics. This evidence was discovered through the monitoring of passenger luggage as well as shipments via expedition services.
In carrying out supervision and enforcement, Bali Customs is working in synergy with Customs offices across the Bali and Nusa Tenggara regions to strengthen oversight against the circulation of illegal goods.
Furthermore, up to May 2026, officers also conducted 44 enforcement actions regarding customs cases related to violations of prohibited and restricted goods brought by international travellers.