Customs Authority Seizes 1.61 Million Illegal Cigarettes Worth Over Rp 2 Billion

Kediri Customs Authority successfully seized 1.61 million illegal cigarettes transported by truck in Nganjuk District, East Java, on Thursday, 27 February 2026. The estimated value of the entire consignment reached Rp 2.41 billion.

The enforcement action commenced around 05:00 Western Indonesia Time when a team from Kediri Customs conducted surveillance operations on a vehicle suspected of carrying illegal excisable goods.

After stopping and inspecting the vehicle’s cargo, officials discovered various types of illegal cigarettes, namely machine-rolled clove cigarettes (SKM) and machine-rolled white cigarettes (SPM) that lacked excise tax stamps.

The cigarettes were packaged in large quantities and transported by truck for distribution purposes.

Based on preliminary calculations, the total illegal cigarettes seized reached 1.61 million sticks with an estimated goods value of approximately Rp 2.41 billion. Additionally, the illegal cigarette circulation was estimated to represent a potential state loss of Rp 1.57 billion.

Gatot Heroe Hernanda, Head of Kediri Customs Office, emphasised that this enforcement action constitutes part of continuous efforts to suppress the circulation of illegal cigarettes that can harm the state.

“We will continue to strengthen supervision and enforcement against illegal cigarette circulation in our working area. This effort is not only to protect state revenue from the excise sector, but also to create a fair business climate for industry players who comply with regulations,” said Gatot in a statement on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Through this measure, it is hoped that illegal cigarette circulation can be further suppressed so that state revenue from the excise sector is maintained whilst providing protection for the public and business operators conducting their business legally.