Kendari Customs Seizes 2.9 Million Illegal Cigarettes as of 21 July

The Kendari Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office (KPPBC) Tipe Madya Pabean C has recorded the seizure of 2.9 million illegal cigarettes from various regions in Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) during the period from 1 January to 21 July 2026. Head of KPPBC Kendari Taufik Sapto Harsono stated that this figure resulted from 201 enforcement actions against excise violations throughout the current year. “From all enforcement actions carried out since the beginning of the year until 21 July 2026, officers confiscated 2,952,320 illegal cigarettes and 655.24 litres of illegal alcoholic beverages,” Taufik said. He detailed that the total value of goods from these law enforcement actions is estimated at Rp4.86 billion, with potential state losses salvaged amounting to Rp3.11 billion. “In addition to securing evidence, the application of law enforcement through administrative sanctions (ultimum remedium) in the excise sector also contributed directly to state revenue amounting to Rp447.85 million,” he added. Taufik elaborated that the 201 enforcement actions against the circulation of illegal excisable goods throughout 2026 were spread across several districts and cities in Sultra. The breakdown includes Kendari City with 96 actions, Baubau City with 36, Muna Regency with 14, and Konawe and South Konawe Regencies with 13 actions each. “Furthermore, enforcement was also conducted in Bombana and North Buton Regencies with six actions each, South Buton with five, Buton, Central Buton, and Kolaka Regencies with three each, and West Muna Regency with two actions,” he noted. Taufik also revealed that the enforcement achievements up to mid-July include the results of Operation ASAP, which was conducted specifically from 1 June to 15 July 2026. During this operation, Kendari Customs carried out 42 enforcement actions and managed to secure 401,580 illegal cigarettes and 180.2 litres of illegal alcohol worth Rp693.9 million, with state losses salvaged amounting to Rp463.8 million. Taufik stressed that this optimised enforcement stemmed from solid synergy between Kendari Customs, law enforcement agencies, local governments, and active public participation in providing information regarding the circulation of illegal excisable goods. “Going forward, Kendari Customs is committed to tightening supervision through market operations, land patrols, and intelligence-based enforcement,” he stated. According to him, these law enforcement measures are balanced with education for business actors and the public on the importance of complying with excise regulations to curb the circulation of illegal excisable goods, create a healthy business climate, and optimise state revenue. “We also urge the public to be wary of various fraud schemes misusing the name of Customs. The public is asked not to follow up on any requests for money, fees, donations, or levies in any form claiming to be from the agency outside official mechanisms,” he said. Should members of the public encounter parties claiming to be Customs officers and requesting money via telephone, text messages, social media, or other means, they are urged to immediately verify through official Customs communication channels or report it to local law enforcement.