Bogor Customs Destroys 10.2 Million Illegal Cigarettes and Textiles Worth Rp 15 Billion
The Bogor Customs and Excise Office has destroyed 10.2 million illegal cigarettes and 642 kilogrammes of textiles, with a total value exceeding Rp 15 billion. The millions of cigarettes, comprising various brands and types, were seized during enforcement operations.
“The items destroyed were 10,246,013 sticks of tobacco products, specifically cigarettes of various brands without excise stamps, as well as 642 kilogrammes of textiles or fabric,” said Head of Bogor Customs and Excise Chotibul Umam during a press conference at the Bogor Customs office on Jalan Pajajaran, Bogor City, Wednesday (12/8/2026).
Chotibul stated that a total of 10.4 million illegal cigarettes were confiscated from 161 raid points during the January-July 2026 period. Not all of the evidence was destroyed, as approximately 233,298 illegal cigarettes are still awaiting approval for destruction.
“These destroyed items are estimated to be worth Rp 15,223,188,305, with a potential state loss from excise revenue of Rp 7,646,945,698,” Chotibul said.
Chotibul Umam added that Bogor Customs oversees six regencies and cities, including Bogor City, Bogor Regency, Sukabumi City, Sukabumi Regency, Cianjur Regency, and Depok City. The targeted raid points were grocery stalls and expedition services, with the highest number of points located in Bogor Regency.
“The targets are points of sale and distribution. So, at grocery stalls, and also at distribution centres for courier or expedition companies. These expedition services are used to send goods, just like any other goods,” Chotibul explained.
Meanwhile, Galih Elham Setiawan, a reviewer for customs and excise services and revenue at the Ministry of Finance, stated that the destroyed illegal cigarettes were produced by large factories. He noted that the circulation of illegal cigarettes kills off small or home-industry entrepreneurs who operate legally.
“What is in front of us here (the illegal cigarettes) is actually not from home industries. Do not be mistaken, because these were made using machines, so they are machine-made kretek cigarettes,” Galih said.
“The opponent here is not just the government because of unpaid excise. The real opponents are the home industries, the small cigarette companies that employ hand-rollers, who are essentially home-based workers. Their market share is being wiped out by these illegal machine-made cigarettes,” he added.
Galih further noted that illegal cigarette factories are often found in the Central Java and East Java regions, as these areas have an abundant supply of raw tobacco materials.