Customs and Satpol PP Seize 553,100 Illegal Cigarettes in Pekalongan During Operation Asap 2026

The Regional Office of Customs and Excise for Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta, in collaboration with the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), has conducted ‘Operation Asap 2026’ to curb the circulation of illegal excisable tobacco products in Central Java. The operation, carried out on Monday (22/6/2026), targeted several shops and buildings in Pekalongan Regency based on intelligence and risk analysis of locations suspected of storing or selling illegal cigarettes. During the inspection, officers discovered 553,100 sticks of machine-rolled kretek cigarettes and machine-rolled white cigarettes of various brands without excise stamps. The illicit goods comprised 261 packs, or 5,220 sticks, and 2,760 slops, or 547,880 sticks. The total estimated value of the seized goods is Rp 827,015,900, while the potential state revenue from the excise sector that was secured amounts to Rp 416,010,040. All seized items have been detained in accordance with statutory provisions and taken to the Regional Office of Customs and Excise for Central Java and Yogyakarta for further investigation. As part of the administrative enforcement process, officers have also issued a Notice of Seizure. Acting Head of the Compliance Guidance and Public Relations Section, Yusup Mahrizal, emphasised that the synergy between Customs and Satpol PP is a strategic step in suppressing the distribution of illegal cigarettes down to the retail level. ‘The circulation of illegal cigarettes is a serious violation that not only results in the loss of potential state revenue from the excise sector but also creates unfair business competition for compliant entrepreneurs. Therefore, Customs will continue to strengthen supervision and take firm action against any violations in accordance with applicable legal provisions,’ he stated. The perpetrators are suspected of violating Article 54 and/or Article 56 of Law Number 11 of 1995 concerning Excise, as amended by Law Number 39 of 2007, in conjunction with Law Number 7 of 2021 concerning the Harmonisation of Tax Regulations. ‘Cigarettes without excise stamps are illegal excisable goods whose circulation is prohibited by law. Therefore, Customs urges the public and business actors to only trade cigarettes that comply with excise regulations. We also hope the public will play an active role by reporting any indications of illegal cigarette circulation in their surroundings,’ Yusup added.