Customs Uncovers Smuggling of 2.2 Million Illegal Cigarettes Worth Rp3.4 Billion

The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Ditjen Bea Cukai) has once again disrupted the circulation of illegal cigarettes in South Kalimantan. A total of 2.2 million sticks of cigarettes without excise stamps were seized before they could enter the market.

The enforcement action began during a routine patrol by officers monitoring loading and unloading activities at an expedition company. Suspecting several packages, officers presented their identification and inspection warrants to conduct a thorough examination of the goods.

Upon inspection alongside the expedition company staff, the packages were found to contain tobacco products (BKCHT) lacking the required excise stamps. The intended recipient was reportedly nearby, having briefly left the location to secure a rented pickup truck to transport the smuggled goods.

Customs officers conducted a sweep of the area surrounding the expedition warehouse and apprehended a man, identified by the initials FS, acting suspiciously. During interrogation, FS admitted that the hundreds of crates of illegal cigarettes were his order. He was subsequently brought back to the warehouse to witness the inspection of his goods.

According to a report from the South and Central Kalimantan Regional Office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the shipment ordered by FS consisted of 143 crates of tobacco products without excise stamps. The seized goods are estimated to be worth Rp3.4 billion, with a potential state loss of Rp2.2 billion in unpaid excise revenue.

At approximately 12:00 WITA, FS and the multi-billion rupiah evidence were transported to the Regional Office for further investigation. FS is suspected of violating Articles 54 and/or 56 of Law Number 11 of 1995 concerning Excise, as amended by the Law on Harmonisation of Tax Regulations.