Customs and Excise Destroys 44 Million Illegal Cigarettes Worth IDR 65 Billion

The Directorate General of Customs and Excise has once again destroyed millions of illegal cigarettes resulting from enforcement actions. This time, the West Java Regional Office (Kanwil) of Customs and Excise, together with the West Java Provincial Government, destroyed 44 million illegal cigarettes with a goods value reaching IDR 65.18 billion. From this destruction, the potential state losses successfully prevented are estimated to reach IDR 32.95 billion. The illegal cigarettes destroyed were goods from enforcement actions during the period of July 2025 to May 2026, which had been designated as State Property (BMN). These goods originated from independent enforcement actions by Customs and Excise, as well as synergy with various agencies through the utilisation of Tobacco Products Excise Revenue Sharing Funds (DBH CHT) for law enforcement. A symbolic destruction was carried out at the Garut Regency Square. Subsequently, all evidence was taken to the facility of PT Mukti Mandiri Lestari in Purwakarta for comprehensive destruction through crushing, damaging, and incineration until they could no longer be used. Director General of Customs and Excise, Djaka Budhi Utama, stated that eradicating illegal cigarettes requires the support of all elements of society, not just law enforcement officers. “Prevention through increasing public awareness will always be a better step than enforcement,” said Djaka in an official statement, Wednesday (24/6/2026). Djaka urged the public not to buy, sell, or distribute illegal cigarettes and to immediately report any indications of excise violations. Throughout the period from 1 January to 31 May 2026, the West Java Customs and Excise Regional Office recorded 1,594 enforcement actions, with seized goods reaching 49.05 million illegal cigarettes. The estimated value of the secured goods reached IDR 72.93 billion. In the same period, the West Java Customs and Excise Regional Office also completed one excise crime investigation case, which was declared complete and transferred to the prosecutor’s office. Additionally, 28 cases were successfully resolved through the ultimum remedium (UR) mechanism, contributing IDR 1.1 billion to state revenue. Customs and Excise affirmed it will continue to strengthen supervision and enforcement against the circulation of illegal cigarettes. The public destruction of seized goods is part of a commitment to transparency, as well as an effort to create a deterrent effect for excise violators. Customs and Excise also expressed appreciation to law enforcement officers, ministries and agencies, local governments, and the public who have supported the eradication of illegal cigarettes and the creation of a healthy business climate for the legal tobacco industry.