Jayapura Customs Foils Shipment of 16,000 Illegal Cigarettes via Postal Service
Jayapura Customs and Excise has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating illegal excisable goods by foiling an attempt to distribute 16,000 sticks of illegal cigarettes via the postal service on Friday (31/7/2026). The operation was initiated following an intelligence exchange between the Papua Special Customs Office, Biak Customs, and Jayapura Customs regarding a suspected shipment of illegal excisable tobacco products originating from Pamekasan, Madura, destined for Papua through the postal network.
Acting on this information, the Jayapura Customs surveillance team coordinated with the Jayapura Post Office and inspected the suspicious package. During the examination, officers discovered one parcel containing machine-rolled kretek cigarettes of the MARBOL brand without excise stamps attached. A subsequent Post Seizure Analysis (PSA) led to the identification and inspection of another package with similar characteristics, which also contained illegal cigarettes without excise stamps.
In total, officers secured two parcels containing 800 packs, equivalent to 16,000 sticks of machine-rolled kretek cigarettes of the MARBOL brand, all without excise stamps. The estimated value of the seized goods is IDR 23,760,000, with potential state revenue saved amounting to IDR 11,936,000.
“The success of this enforcement action is the result of strengthening the Customs Intelligence Network through synergy and information exchange between Customs units. This approach allows us to detect the distribution patterns of illegal cigarettes earlier so that their circulation can be thwarted before reaching the public,” said Fungki Awaludin, Head of the Jayapura Customs Office.
He explained that all seized goods have been secured at the Jayapura Customs Office for further investigation and analysis. Customs is also tracing the identities of the sender and recipient to uncover the distribution network of illegal cigarettes exploiting postal delivery services.
Fungki stressed that Jayapura Customs continues to strengthen supervision of the distribution channels for illegal excisable goods, including through courier companies or postal services, as a preventive measure to curb the circulation of illegal cigarettes within the Jayapura Customs working area.
“The circulation of illegal cigarettes not only reduces state revenue from the excise sector but also harms business operators who have complied with statutory regulations. Therefore, Customs will continue to synergise with various parties to strengthen supervision of distribution channels that could potentially be used for the circulation of illegal cigarettes,” Fungki stated.
In this case, the perpetrators are suspected of violating Article 54 and/or Article 56 of Law Number 11 of 1995 concerning Excise, as amended several times, most recently by Law Number 7 of 2021 concerning Harmonisation of Tax Regulations (HPP).
In addition to enforcement, Jayapura Customs also provided guidance to Pos Indonesia to immediately coordinate with Customs if they discover packages suspected of containing illegal excisable goods, as an effort to strengthen supervision and prevent misuse of postal delivery services.
“We express our appreciation to Pos Indonesia for their synergy and support in this supervision. Going forward, we hope this established cooperation can be further strengthened so that any indication of illegal excisable goods shipments can be promptly addressed to protect state revenue and create a healthy business climate,” Fungki concluded.