Customs Foils Smuggling of 8.96 Million Illegal Cigarettes at Tanjung Priok
The Tanjung Priok Customs and Excise Office, in collaboration with the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation (P2), has successfully thwarted the shipment of 8.96 million illegal cigarettes without excise stamps in the Tanjung Priok Port area. The enforcement action was taken against two containers identified during traffic monitoring of inter-regional goods on Friday (7/8).
The operation stemmed from public information regarding the shipment of illegal cigarettes from East Java to Sumatra. Officers then conducted a sweep and identified two containers that were reported to contain pipes and lightweight steel. However, a scan of the containers showed suspicious images of carton arrangements.
During a physical inspection on Monday (10/8), officers discovered Exciseable Goods in the form of Machine-made Kretek Cigarettes (SKM) without excise stamps, or plain cigarettes. The total evidence seized amounted to 8,960,000 sticks of various brands.
The estimated value of the illegal goods is Rp13.305 billion. The potential state losses that were prevented amount to Rp8.669 billion, comprising excise duties, cigarette taxes, and Value Added Tax on Tobacco Products (PPN HT).
Director General of Customs and Excise, Letjen TNI (Ret.) Djaka Budhi Utama, stated that the goods were shipped from East Java using a cargo train before being planned to cross to Sumatra by sea. “This enforcement demonstrates continuous supervision based on risk analysis and public information,” said Djaka in Jakarta on Tuesday (11/8).
Djaka also stressed the importance of public synergy in eradicating the circulation of illegal cigarettes. He urged citizens not to buy or distribute illegal products as they harm state revenue and create unfair business competition.
Currently, all evidence has been secured by the Tanjung Priok Customs Office. Further investigation will be conducted in coordination with the Supervisory Corps of Civil Servant Investigators (Korwas PPNS) of the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.