Customs Raid Madura Shops in Search of Illegal Cigarettes

The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) Tegal Region carried out a raid on Madura shops at night. The aim was to search for illegal cigarettes in line with incoming reports. The Customs statement was conveyed through its official Instagram account after a video went viral showing its officers conducting a nighttime raid. “In response to the video circulating on the TikTok account @SalmaBram on 5 May 2026, which was also posted on several social media platforms, we clarify that on 14 April 2026, Tegal Customs officers indeed carried out inspection duties at three locations,” Customs wrote in the post on Friday (8/5). The three locations raided were in Desa Balamoa, Pangkah Subdistrict, Tegal Regency, Central Java. It was stated that the inspection was conducted following reports from local residents. “The inspection was carried out based on information from the community that on that afternoon there was a suspected delivery of illegal cigarettes at the location,” it said. After receiving the report, Customs officers conducted the inspection in accordance with procedures, showing official identification and task orders to the managers or guards. “We state that the results of the inspection showed no violations or illegal cigarettes were found, so the officers immediately completed the task and returned to the office,” Customs concluded in its post. Citing detiknews, it began when a TikTok account owner uploaded a video of two people wearing Customs vests approaching her shop. The two then checked several points inside her shop to search for illegal cigarettes. The search was conducted at night, making the shop guard or owner puzzled. The shop owner also asked about the task letters carried by the two officers.