Chase with Trucks: Customs Seize 6.5 Million Sticks of Illegal Cigarettes
The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) foiled the circulation of 6.5 million illegal cigarettes in Banyuwangi, East Java. The value of the seized goods is Rp9.6 billion, with an estimated potential state loss of Rp5 billion.
Initially, there was information from the public about a shipment of illegal cigarettes from Madura to Bali via sea routes. The Banyuwangi Customs Regional Office received and followed up on this information.
After conducting in-depth investigations through field information, monitoring, analysis, and observation, it was determined that the shipment was predicted to pass through on Thursday, 15 January 2015. Additionally, analysis by the Banyuwangi Customs Regional Office identified specific characteristics of the illegal cigarette transport, namely two trucks predominantly yellow and predominantly green.
The Jenggirat Tangi team from Banyuwangi Customs then moved to comb three transit points for the two suspicious trucks, namely Ketapang Port, Tanjung Wangi Port, and Farly Petrol Station.
However, after searching the two ports, the results were nil. The team then proceeded to the Farly Petrol Station, where, as suspected, the two trucks were parked.
The Jenggirat Tangi team swiftly approached the two trucks. However, when the team neared the first truck, only an assistant was present, with no driver. When the team identified themselves as from Customs, the assistant fled.
A chase ensued by the Jenggirat Tangi team out of the petrol station. The team used motorcycles to pursue the fleeing assistant and eventually apprehended him on the roadside and secured him.
After securing and interviewing the assistant and the drivers of the two trucks, a search was conducted, witnessed by local security personnel and petrol station security. The result was the discovery of cigarettes without tax stamps, fully loaded with 1,459 cartons. The brands of cigarettes seized from the two trucks included ANGKER and KING MARMUT.
Subsequently, based on information from further investigation of the two trucks, it was suspected that another truck with predominantly red colour was carrying illegal cigarettes. After a search, the third truck was secured not far from the position of the first two trucks. The third truck was found to be transporting 589 cartons of cigarettes without tax stamps.
The three trucks, along with three drivers and one assistant, were secured and taken to the Banyuwangi Customs Regional Office for further examination.
After the case file was complete or P21 on 12 March 2016, the three trucks and evidence were brought to the Banyuwangi District Prosecutor’s Office for further processing to trial in court.
The success of capturing the trucks loaded with illegal cigarettes represents synergy between Customs and other law enforcement agencies, including the Banyuwangi District Prosecutor’s Office, Banyuwangi Police Resort, and the Banyuwangi Naval Forces.
Head of Banyuwangi Customs Regional Office, Latif Helmi, stated that the law enforcement carried out by Banyuwangi Customs is in line with the directives of Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa and complies with applicable regulations.
This is done to prevent revenue leaks to the state, particularly in customs and excise related to illegal cigarettes. Secondly, it is to create healthy business competition.
“This certainly helps our efforts to eradicate illegal cigarettes in the Banyuwangi area, enabling local industries to market their products, so that the existing market share is not taken by the circulation of illegal cigarettes,” said Latif.