1.2 Million Illegal Cigarettes Will Be Sent From Malang To Blitar, State Loses IDR 1.5 Billion

One of the vehicles used to send illegal cigarettes was secured at the Malang Customs Office, in Malang City, East Java. (ANTARA)

Malang Customs Supervision and Service Offices confiscated millions of illegal cigarettes worth Rp1.52 billion, which were sent from Malang Regency to Blitar Regency, East Java.

Head of Malang Customs Office Gunawan Tri Wibowo said that the millions of illegal cigarettes worth Rp1.52 billion confiscated by Malang Customs had the potential to cost the state Rp813.5 million.

"From the results of the action, the total estimated value of goods reached Rp1.52 billion with a potential state loss of Rp813.5 million," Gunawan said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, April 18.

Gunawan explained that the disclosure of the distribution of illegal cigarettes began when the Malang Customs and Excise team received information about illegal cigarette shipments using two goods cars to the southern part of Malang Regency on Sunday.

According to him, after pocketing the information, the Malang Customs and Excise team conducted a search on the suspected distribution route. Then, the team found a means of transportation that was in accordance with the information received by the Malang Customs team.

"After finding a means of transportation that is in accordance with the information, the team gave chase," he said.

He added that the two transport facilities were successfully stopped by the Malang Customs and Excise team on Jalan Raya Wlingi-Karangkares, Kesamben District, Blitar Regency, after the pursuit.

During the search, officers found 41,300 packs of illegal cigarettes of various brands of Machine Kretek Cigarettes (SKM) that were not attached to excise stamps in one of the transport facilities.

"Meanwhile, for other transport facilities, 19,900 packs were found. So, in total there were approximately 1,216 million illegal cigarettes whose distribution chains were cut," he said.

The Malang Customs and Excise Team then secured evidence in the form of illegal cigarettes and transportation facilities, including vehicle drivers to be taken to the Malang Customs Office for further processing.

Malang Customs and Excise reminded the entire community that the circulation of illegal cigarettes causes losses to the state, and will be dealt with firmly in accordance with applicable regulations.