Kendari Customs Seizes 2.9 Million Illegal Cigarettes as of 21 July
Kendari (ANTARA) - The Kendari Medium Type C Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office (KPPBC) has recorded the seizure of 2.9 million illegal cigarettes from various areas of Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) during the period from 1 January to 21 July 2026.
KPPBC Kendari Chief Taufik Sapto Harsono, speaking in Kendari on Saturday, said the figure resulted from 201 enforcement actions against excise violations during the year to date.
“From all the enforcement actions carried out since the beginning of the year until 21 July 2026, officers seized 2,952,320 illegal cigarettes and 655.24 litres of illicit alcoholic beverages,” said Taufik.
He explained that the total value of goods from these law enforcement operations was estimated at Rp4.86 billion, with potential state losses averted amounting to Rp3.11 billion.
“Beyond securing evidence, law enforcement through the imposition of administrative sanctions (ultimum remedium) in the excise sector has also contributed directly to state revenue of Rp447.85 million,” he said.
Taufik detailed the distribution of the 201 enforcement actions against the circulation of illegal excisable goods (BKC) throughout 2026 across a number of regencies and cities in Sultra. The breakdown includes Kendari City with 96 operations, Baubau City 36, Muna Regency 14, and Konawe and South Konawe regencies with 13 operations each.
“Further enforcement was also carried out in Bombana and North Buton regencies with six operations each, South Buton five, Buton, Central Buton and Kolaka regencies three each, and West Muna Regency with two operations,” he said.
In addition, Taufik revealed that the enforcement achievements up to mid-July included the results of Operation ASAP, which ran specially from 1 June to 15 July 2026. During that operation, Kendari Customs carried out 42 enforcement actions and secured 401,580 illegal cigarettes and 180.2 litres of illicit alcohol worth Rp693.9 million, with state losses averted valued at Rp463.8 million.
Taufik stressed that the optimisation of these enforcement efforts stems from solid synergy between Kendari Customs, law enforcement agencies, regional governments, and the active participation of the public in providing information on 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 explained.
According to him, these law enforcement measures are complemented by education for businesses and the public on the importance of complying with excise regulations in order to curb the circulation of illegal excisable goods, foster a healthy business climate, and optimise state revenue.
“We also urge the public to be wary of various fraud schemes carried out in the name of Customs and Excise. People are asked not to comply with any requests for money, contributions, donations, or levies of any kind made in the name of the agency outside official channels,” he said.
If anyone encounters individuals claiming to be customs officers and demanding money via telephone, text message, social media, or other means, the public is asked to immediately verify through official Customs and Excise communication channels or report the matter to local law enforcement authorities.