Customs seizes illegal cigarettes worth Rp3.4bn in Sumbawa by October
Sumbawa (ANTARA) — Customs seized 2,278,815 illegal cigarettes, with an estimated value of Rp3.4bn, on Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara, between January and the third week of October 2026.
“The total number of illegal cigarettes subject to enforcement action was 2,278,815, worth around Rp3.4bn, with potential state revenue losses of Rp2.21bn,” said Sugeng Heriyanto, head of Sumbawa Customs, at a press conference in Sumbawa Besar on Wednesday.
Sugeng said the figure represented the combined results of monitoring and enforcement against the circulation of illegal excisable goods across Sumbawa Island during 2026.
“The violations found were mainly the distribution of cigarettes without excise stamps, the use of counterfeit or previously used stamps, and the use of stamps that were not appropriate for the products,” he said.
He said these violations could reduce state revenue from excise while creating unfair competition for manufacturers and traders who comply with the rules.
One enforcement action in October 2026 targeted the transport of 236,000 illegal cigarettes in a refrigerated lorry at a modern retail outlet in Emang Bawa village, Empang district, Sumbawa regency.
The cigarettes, various machine-made kretek (SKM) brands, were estimated to be worth Rp353.02m, with potential state revenue losses of Rp177.59m.
Officers also intercepted a shipment of 144,080 illegal cigarettes sent through a courier company during October 2026.
Sugeng said the findings showed that illegal cigarette distribution used a range of channels, from freight vehicles to delivery services.
Sumbawa Customs is therefore stepping up surveillance through intelligence operations, inspections of transport vehicles, and coordination with law-enforcement agencies and relevant institutions.
Enforcement against illegal cigarette distribution is based on Law No. 11 of 1995 on Excise, as amended, most recently by Law No. 7 of 2021 on the Harmonisation of Tax Regulations.
In carrying out its work, Sumbawa Customs is cooperating with the police, prosecutors, the Indonesian Military (TNI), local government and the Civil Service Police Unit to strengthen oversight of illegal excisable goods.
The eradication effort is also supported by the Tobacco Excise Revenue-Sharing Fund (DBH CHT), in accordance with applicable regulations.
Sugeng urged the public to report suspected sales of cigarettes without excise stamps, the use of counterfeit stamps and other excise violations to Customs officers.
“Surveillance will continue to be intensified to curb illegal cigarette distribution, protect state revenue and create a fair business climate for operators who comply with excise regulations,” he said.