Maluku Customs Office Seizes 64,000 Illegal Cigarettes in Shipment Package
The Maluku Regional Customs Office foiled the distribution of 64,000 illegal cigarettes at Yos Sudarso Port in Sirimau District, Ambon City, on Tuesday (28/4/2026).
The Head of Enforcement Section II of the Maluku Regional Customs Office, I Putu Herma Sudawan, stated that the seizure of these illegal cigarettes stemmed from intelligence information regarding a shipment of tobacco excise goods (BKC HT) suspected to be illegal from Surabaya to Ambon.
Based on field analysis of the information, officers became suspicious of a shipment consisting of four packages wrapped in cardboard and black plastic, declared as “Fahry Kain Ambon”.
Officers then inspected the packages and discovered illegal machine-rolled clove cigarettes (SKM) of the “KJR” brand without excise stamps (plain cigarettes) inside. The total seized goods amounted to 64,000 cigarettes packed in four cartons, with an estimated value of Rp 95,040,000.
Following the enforcement action, officers issued a Seizure Evidence Letter (SBP) and secured all evidence along with the perpetrator for further examination at the Maluku Regional Customs Office.
Putu stated that this enforcement against illegal cigarettes directly benefits the public by protecting consumers from goods that do not meet regulations and could cause harm, while maintaining price stability and healthy business competition for compliant enterprises.
Additionally, the action prevented a potential state loss of Rp 61,927,400, which can be redirected to support development and public services.
For their actions, the perpetrator is suspected of violating Article 54 of Law No. 39 of 2007 on Amendments to Law No. 11 of 1995 on Excise.
Currently, all seized goods have been impounded and are undergoing further investigation for case deepening.
“This enforcement is part of the Maluku Regional Customs Office’s commitment to protecting the public, ensuring business fairness, and guaranteeing that every state revenue contributes maximally to public welfare,” Putu said in a statement on Monday (4/5/2026).