Customs Foils Circulation of 42,400 Illegal Cigarettes in Sigi

The Pantoloan Customs and Excise Office has prevented the circulation of illegal tobacco-based excise goods in Central Sulawesi. Officers secured 42,400 cigarettes without excise stamps during an operation on Sunday (13 July 2026) on the Palu–Bangga main road in Baliase village, Marawola sub-district, Sigi Regency.

The operation formed part of surveillance efforts to protect the public from illegal goods whilst maintaining a healthy business climate for entrepreneurs who comply with excise regulations.

Wing Hartopo, Head of the Pantoloan Customs and Excise Office, said officers secured 22,000 Boss Mango Boost cigarettes and 20,400 Boss Caffe Latte cigarettes. The total value of the seized goods is estimated at Rp 62.96 million, with potential state losses reaching Rp 41.03 million.

The operation began with intelligence information about a suspected shipment of illegal tobacco-based excise goods being transported by travel car. Acting on this information, officers inspected the suspect vehicle and secured the contraband.

All seized goods were taken to the Pantoloan Customs and Excise Office for further investigation. The case will subsequently be resolved through the ultimum remendum mechanism, with a value of Rp 94,892,000.

The circulation of illegal cigarettes not only reduces state revenue but also creates unfair business competition. Products without excise stamps can be sold more cheaply because they do not meet excise payment obligations, potentially harming businesses that operate compliantly.

Moreover, the circulation of illegal products leaves the public in a vulnerable position, as such goods fall outside government oversight mechanisms. Therefore, surveillance of illegal excise goods is an important part of creating business certainty, ensuring fairness for legal entrepreneurs, and supporting the financing of various development programmes through state revenue.

Wing also called on the public to play an active role in eradicating the circulation of illegal excise goods. “Let us together support the eradication of illegal excise goods! By purchasing legal products with official excise stamps, we contribute to safeguarding state revenue and creating a healthy business climate,” he said.