Indonesia Customs Seizes 3.9 Million Illegal Cigarettes in Southeast Sulawesi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Kendari Customs reported the seizure of 3,907,080 illegal cigarettes across 233 enforcement operations in Southeast Sulawesi Province between January and early September 2026.

Taufik Sapto Harsono, Head of the Kendari Customs Office (officially classified as a Type C Medium Customs Supervision and Service Office), stated in Kendari on Tuesday that these operations prevented potential state revenue losses estimated at Rp4 billion.

"In the most recent enforcement actions covering mid-August to early September 2026, we seized 838,000 illegal cigarettes, preventing potential state losses of Rp822.1 million," Taufik said.

He explained that the majority of the seized goods from this recent period—totaling 576,000 illegal cigarettes with a potential state loss value of Rp557.3 million—were transferred to Customs by the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police.

Additionally, Kendari Customs officers seized 55,800 illegal cigarettes through the monitoring of shipping services in Kendari City (representing a potential state loss of Rp65.2 million) and 6,200 "BOSS Caffe Latte" brand cigarettes following a vehicle stop in Kendari City (potential loss of Rp5.9 million).

"We also seized 200,000 'RIIL BOLD' brand cigarettes from a vehicle in Baubau City; these had originated from Murhum Port and represented a potential state loss of Rp193.5 million," he added.

Taufik revealed that officer investigations suggest the hundreds of thousands of illegal cigarettes circulating in Southeast Sulawesi originated from East Java.

He also acknowledged that the region's geography—comprising 15 regencies and two cities across an archipelago—presents a unique challenge for monitoring the distribution of illegal cigarettes, making synergy with law enforcement agencies a crucial factor. In addition to enforcement actions, Kendari Customs is maximizing the recovery of state revenue through the "ultimum remedium" mechanism. As of early September 2026, the payment of administrative fines—set at three times the excise value—has successfully contributed to recovering state losses amounting to Rp2.19 billion.

"We extend our deepest appreciation to law enforcement agencies and relevant institutions—particularly the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police and the Baubau Tax Office—for their synergy in combating illegal cigarettes. Moving forward, this collaboration will continue to be strengthened to safeguard state revenue and foster a healthy business climate," added Taufik.