Banda Aceh Customs Foils Circulation of 356,480 Illegal Cigarettes via Courier Services

Customs and Excise officers in Banda Aceh have cracked down on the shipment of cigarettes without excise stamps that entered via a courier service company (PJT) in Banda Aceh. The operation was carried out by the Investigation and Enforcement Team (P2) of the Banda Aceh Customs Office on Friday, 5 June 2026, at the Indah Express warehouse in Banda Aceh.

During the inspection, officers found 31 packages containing 17,824 packs of L4 brand cigarettes without excise stamps. With 20 sticks per pack, the total quantity of goods seized reached 356,480 illegal cigarettes.

Based on initial findings, the perpetrators allegedly employed a concealment method by wrapping the shipments in flannel fabric scraps and listing invalid recipient addresses and phone numbers. Furthermore, the goods were suspected to be collected via a ‘pick-up on site’ system in order to avoid identifying the actual recipient.

Head of the Banda Aceh Customs Office, Rahmat Priyandoko, stated that the circulation of illegal cigarettes not only harms the country in terms of excise revenue but also undermines a healthy business climate by creating unfair competition for compliant business operators.

‘This enforcement action is a demonstration of the Banda Aceh Customs Office’s commitment to suppressing the circulation of illegal cigarettes in the Aceh region. We will continue to strengthen supervision and collaborate with various parties to protect the public and safeguard state revenue from the excise sector,’ he said.

Banda Aceh Customs officials have urged the public not to buy, sell, or distribute illegal cigarettes. Public support and participation are deemed crucial in assisting efforts to eradicate illegal excisable goods in order to foster a healthy business environment and optimise state revenue.