Semarang Customs Foils Circulation of 3.2 Million Illegal Cigarettes

Based on information received on Sunday, 9 August 2026, the enforcement action took place swiftly between 00:10 and 00:25 local time. The perpetrators attempted to disguise the illegal cigarettes beneath a pile of galvanised iron, accompanied by what officials described as a falsified travel document.

The operation originated from a land patrol conducted by officers along the Salatiga-Semarang-Kendal toll road starting at 21:00 on Saturday, 8 August 2026. At approximately 23:30, a team detected a blue truck with a blue tarpaulin moving slowly and emitting a strong tobacco odour.

When the truck stopped to top up its electronic toll card before entering the Banyumanik toll gate, officers immediately intercepted it. An inspection, witnessed by toll gate staff, confirmed the presence of 205 cartons containing 3,280,000 machine-rolled kretek cigarettes without excise stamps, rendering them illegal.

The total value of the seized goods is estimated at Rp4.87 billion, with potential state losses from excise evasion reaching Rp3.17 billion. All evidence, including the cigarettes, the truck, and the two individuals—a driver and his assistant—have been secured at the Semarang Customs and Excise Office for further investigation.