Malang Customs Cracks Down on 183,800 Illegal Cigarette Sticks in Malang

Malang Customs Office in Malang has again thwarted the circulation of illegal cigarettes in the Malang Raya area. In the operation conducted on Sunday (10 May 2026), officers confiscated 9,230 packs, or 183,800 illegal cigarettes of various brands, lacking excise stamps, and saved potential state losses of hundreds of millions of rupiah. The crackdown began from community information regarding suspected transport of Tobacco Excise Goods (BKC HT) illegally using a silver minibus. In response, Malang Customs conducted ground patrols and monitoring along suspected distribution routes. Based on analysis and field sweeps, officers identified the target vehicle in Blimbing, Malang City. The team gave chase and stopped the vehicle on Jalan Raya Karanglo, Banjararum, Singosari District, Malang Regency. After inspecting the vehicle and its cargo, officers found thousands of packs of illegal cigarettes of various brands, including Marbol and Manchester, without excise stamps. All seized goods, along with the driver and the transporting vehicle, were taken to the Malang Customs Office for further examination. From the action, the value of goods is estimated at Rp 276,076,000. Meanwhile, the potential state losses saved are estimated at Rp 138,849,600. Head of Malang Customs Office, Johan Pandores, emphasised that the agency will continue to strengthen monitoring of illegal excise goods in its working area. “Monitoring of illegal excise goods will continue intensively and on an ongoing basis,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (20 May 2026). He added that illegal cigarettes not only affect state revenue but also influence the creation of a healthy and fair business climate. According to him, such actions are part of Customs’ commitment to protect the public while maintaining national economic stability.