Customs Crackdown on Alleged Network of Fake Excise Stamps in Jepara and Semarang

The Directorate General of Customs and Excise, together with the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), conducted a crackdown on an alleged network involved in the production and hoarding of illegal excise stamps in Central Java. The operation was said to have prevented potential state losses estimated at Rp570 billion. The crackdown followed joint-team collection and in-depth investigations into activities related to illicit excisable goods production. The operation covered two areas: Jepara Regency and Semarang City. In Semarang City, the raids targeted three locations—houses and rental rooms in Gunungpati District—believed to be sites for printing illegal excise stamps. In Jepara, Customs secured 71 bundles of suspected fake excise stamps, three bundles of stamps without holograms, and two foil stamping machines. In Semarang, officers recovered two printing machines, model OLIVER 66 EZ and OLIVER 258 E2Z, printing plates for excise stamps, one paper cutting machine, 22 rolls of hologram sticker paper, and a folder of procurement documents for excise stamps believed to be forged. A total of 15 people were detained in Jepara for allegedly being involved in hologram affixing. In Semarang, four people were detained—a print-shop supervisor, two employees, and one driver—together with a Toyota Innova Zenix bearing licence plate K 1704 Q. All evidence and the 19 detainees were taken to the Central Java and DIY Regional Office of Customs and Excise for further investigation. Director General of Customs and Excise, Djaka Budi Utama, said the action is part of efforts to safeguard state revenue and create a healthy business climate. He added that the operation’s success was the result of inter-agency synergy and public support in reporting suspected illegal circulation through official channels. Customs and Excise also stated it will continue to strengthen supervision and enforcement in the field of excise.