Kendari Customs seizes 3.9 million illegal cigarettes circulating in Southeast Sulawesi
Kendari (ANTARA) - Kendari Customs has recorded the seizure of 3,907,080 illegal cigarettes across 233 enforcement operations in Southeast Sulawesi Province (Sultra) during the period from January to early September 2026.
The Head of the Kendari Medium Type C Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office (KPPBC TMP C), Taufik Sapto Harsono, speaking in Kendari on Tuesday, said the state losses prevented through this series of operations are estimated to reach Rp4 billion.
“In the latest enforcement operation, from mid-August to early September 2026, we secured 838,000 illegal cigarettes, with prevented state losses amounting to Rp822.1 million,” said Taufik.
He explained that most of the goods from the latest operation came from a handover by the Special Crimes Directorate of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police (Polda Sultra), totalling 576,000 illegal cigarettes with prevented state losses of Rp557.3 million.
In addition, Kendari Customs officers secured 55,800 illegal cigarettes through supervision of courier services in Kendari City, with prevented state losses of Rp65.2 million, as well as 6,200 BOSS Caffe Latte brand cigarettes from a vehicle stop in Kendari City, with prevented state losses of Rp5.9 million.
“Furthermore, 200,000 RIIL BOLD brand cigarettes were secured from a vehicle in Baubau City, which originated from Murhum Port, with prevented state losses of Rp193.5 million,” he said.
Taufik revealed that, based on officers’ investigations, the hundreds of thousands of illegal cigarettes circulating in Sultra are suspected to have originated from East Java.
He also acknowledged that Sultra’s geographical conditions — comprising 15 regencies and 2 cities spread across island territories — present their own challenges in monitoring the circulation of illegal cigarettes, making synergy with law enforcement agencies a crucial factor.
Beyond enforcement, Kendari Customs is optimising the recovery of state revenue through the ultimum remedium mechanism. As of early September 2026, payments of administrative fines amounting to three times the excise value have contributed up to Rp2.19 billion in recovered state losses.
“We extend our deepest appreciation to law enforcement agencies and relevant institutions, particularly Polda Sultra and the Baubau Customs Office, for their synergy in eradicating illegal cigarettes. Going forward, this collaboration will continue to be strengthened in order to safeguard state revenue and foster a healthy business climate,” Taufik added.