Batam Customs Sea Patrol and Excise Operation Seize 506,000 Unlawful Cigarettes

During sea patrols and excise operations conducted last September, Batam Customs seized 506,477 sticks of illegal cigarettes, with an estimated goods value of Rp753.2 million and a secured potential loss to the state of Rp493.6 million.

The Head of the Batam Customs Office, Agung Widodo, emphasised that supervision of illegal cigarettes will continue sustainably, both through monitoring distribution channels and tracking products once they have entered the community.

The enforcement action began in the early hours of Tuesday (08/09) when the BC-1s026 Sea Patrol Task Force was conducting routine maritime patrols in Batam waters. At approximately 00:30 WIB, officers spotted an unnamed speedboat moving from the direction of the Lekop River near the Pulau Bulan waters. Suspecting the vessel’s movement, officers attempted to intercept and successfully stopped it for inspection, despite the speedboat attempting to flee towards shallow waters.

During the initial inspection, officers found the speedboat carrying two crew members and a cargo of cigarettes without excise stamps. Furthermore, officers received indications that another speedboat was moving along the same route. The team immediately conducted a sweep and discovered a second unnamed speedboat near a coastal point close to the first interception site.

Upon inspecting the second speedboat, the team found the vessel unmanned but carrying a cargo of cigarettes without excise stamps. Although officers conducted a search for those responsible, no suspects were found.

Officers subsequently intercepted and sealed both speedboats and their entire cargoes, detaining the two crew members and transporting them to the Tanjung Uncang Customs Pier for further investigation.

Agung explained that from the first speedboat, authorities seized 79,640 sticks of illegal cigarettes with an estimated value of Rp118.2 million and a secured potential state loss of Rp77 million. Meanwhile, the second speedboat yielded 384,360 sticks of illegal cigarettes, valued at approximately Rp570.7 million, with a secured potential state loss of Rp371.9 million.

“In total, we have secured 464,000 sticks of illegal cigarettes with an estimated goods value of Rp689 million and a secured potential state loss of Rp448.9 million. The cigarettes consist of several brands, including OFO Bold, HMILD, and T3 Bold,” he explained.

In addition to maritime surveillance, Agung noted that the office consistently monitors the circulation of illegal cigarettes through Excise Operations. Through these activities, Batam Customs has conducted 31 enforcement actions involving a total of 42,477 sticks of illegal cigarettes. These seized goods have an estimated value of Rp64.1 million, with a secured potential state loss of Rp44.6 million. The seized brands include OFO, UFO, HD, HMIND, HMILD, T3 BOLD, R7 BOLD, PSG, MANCHESTER, FUSION, LENOX, SEVIOS, and RAVE, among others.

“Our supervision is not limited to the sea; we also conduct Excise Operations to restrict the movement of illegal cigarette circulation. We will continue to strengthen surveillance to protect the public, support a healthy business climate, and safeguard state revenue,” Agung stated. Batam Customs has invited the public to play an active role in combating illegal cigarettes by reporting any suspected circulation, storage, or distribution to Customs for follow-up.

The public is also urged not to sell, buy, or consume illegal cigarettes, and to avoid involvement in their distribution chain, as such actions harm state revenue, create unfair business competition, and carry legal consequences under existing laws.