Midnight Chase: Malang Customs Thwarts Distribution of 464,000 Illegal Cigarette Sticks
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MALANG - Malang Customs thwarted an attempt to distribute illegal cigarettes in the Malang region through an enforcement operation in the early hours. In the action, officers secured 464,000 sticks of illegal cigarettes without excise stamps, along with the transport vehicle used by the perpetrators.
The enforcement began with intelligence information received by officers on Friday (1/5/2026) around 23:00 WIB. The information indicated a suspected shipment of illegal cigarettes using a white goods vehicle that would exit the Malang area.
Following up on the information, Malang Customs immediately developed the leads and conducted ground patrols on several suspected transit routes. The efforts bore fruit on Saturday (2/5/2026) around 00:10 WIB. Officers successfully identified the vehicle matching the description in Petungsewu Village, Dau Subdistrict, Malang Regency.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle for inspection, the driver was uncooperative and tried to flee. In fact, the perpetrator recklessly rammed the vehicle into the officers’ car to avoid inspection.
A chase ensued in the middle of the night until finally, at 00:45 WIB, the vehicle was found abandoned on Kramat Road, Tegalweru Village, Dau Subdistrict. The driver fled towards a local plantation area. Officers conducted a search around the location, but until the operation ended, the perpetrator had not been found.
From the examination of the abandoned vehicle, officers found excisable tobacco goods without excise stamps in the form of BS brand machine-made clove cigarettes (SKM) totalling 23,200 packs or equivalent to 464,000 sticks. All evidence was then secured and brought to the Malang Customs Office for further investigation and enforcement in accordance with applicable regulations.
Based on calculations, the total value of the seized goods is estimated to reach Rp 689,040,000, with potential state losses averted amounting to Rp 346,144,000.
Head of Malang Customs Office, Johan Pandores, emphasised that the enforcement is a form of protection for state rights as well as maintaining a healthy business climate.
“This enforcement is part of our commitment to protecting state revenue and creating fair business competition for compliant businesses,” said Johan.