Truck Driver Arrested in Lembar for Smuggling 560,000 Illegal Cigarettes

A truck driver, identified by the initials HT, was arrested by personnel from the Mataram Naval Base (Lanal) upon arrival at Lembar Port, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), in the early hours of Saturday (3/10/2026). HT was apprehended for transporting 560,000 sticks of illegal cigarettes from Java.

“It appears to have been taken from Java; we are still investigating the specific location,” stated the Commander of Lanal Mataram, Navy Colonel (P) Eko Darmawan, during a press conference at his office on Sunday (4/10/2026).

The estimated value of the hundreds of thousands of illegal cigarettes seized is approximately Rp 831 million. Eko claimed that the potential state losses prevented by thwarting this smuggling attempt amount to Rp 541 million.

Eko revealed that HT was transporting the illegal cigarettes into Lombok using a truck with registration number B 9024 UYU. The quantity of illegal cigarettes, which lacked excise stamps, carried by HT totalled 35 sacks or 560,000 sticks.

To disguise the smuggling attempt, the top of the truck was covered with a tarpaulin, while the illegal cigarettes were packed in cardboard boxes and wrapped in sacks.

According to Eko, HT was acting merely as a courier. The illegal cigarettes he was transporting were intended for distribution throughout NTB.

Eko has yet to identify the individual who ordered HT to smuggle the illegal cigarettes from Java to Lombok, nor the amount of payment involved. “We will investigate this further,” he said.

Legal proceedings regarding the discovery of the hundreds of thousands of illegal cigarettes will be handed over to the Mataram Customs and Excise Office (KPPBC Type Madya Pabean C Mataram). Lanal Mataram will await the results of the legal process conducted by Mataram Customs.