Customs and West Java Government Destroy 44 Million Illegal Cigarettes Worth Rp 65 Billion

The West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Bea Cukai), in collaboration with the West Java Provincial Government, has destroyed 44,028,306 illegal cigarettes. These items, classified as State-Owned Goods (BMMN), were the result of enforcement actions. The total value of the destroyed goods amounted to Rp 65,181,393,510, with potential state losses amounting to Rp 32,952,835,832 successfully safeguarded. The illegal cigarettes were seized during operations conducted from July 2025 to May 2026, carried out both independently by Customs and through synergistic efforts utilising the Tobacco Products Excise Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH CHT) for law enforcement. The symbolic destruction ceremony was held at the Garut Regency Square, after which the goods were transported to PT Mukti Mandiri Lestari (Plan Sadang) in Ciwangi, Bungursari, Purwakarta Regency, to be completely destroyed by crushing, damaging, and burning until they could no longer be used. During the period from 1 January to 31 May 2026, the West Java Customs Regional Office and its subordinate vertical units successfully carried out 1,594 enforcement actions, resulting in the seizure of 49.05 million illegal cigarettes with an estimated value of Rp 72.93 billion. In the same period, one investigation into criminal excise violations was completed and handed over to the prosecutor’s office. Additionally, the office resolved 28 cases using the ultimum remedium (UR) principle, generating state revenue of Rp 1.1 billion. The ultimum remedium principle dictates that criminal sanctions should be a last resort in law enforcement, including excise matters, applied only when administrative sanctions such as fines cannot resolve the violation. Director General of Customs and Excise, Lieutenant General (Ret.) Djaka Budhi Utama, stressed that eradicating illegal cigarettes is not solely the duty of authorities but requires the participation of the entire community. He urged the public not to buy, sell, or distribute illegal cigarettes and to promptly report any suspected excise violations. “Prevention through raising public awareness will always be a better step than enforcement,” he stated. Customs continues to take firm, uncompromising action against violators through optimal supervision. The public destruction, which can be witnessed directly or online, serves as a form of transparency in the fight against illegal cigarettes. Appreciation was also extended to all involved parties, including other law enforcement agencies, ministries, local governments, and the community, for their active and collaborative support in fostering a legal industry that supports national economic growth.