Makassar Customs And Excise Failed Circulation Of 505,162 Illegal Cigarettes

JAKARTA - The circulation of illegal cigarettes in various regions continues to be a serious concern because it is detrimental to the state and disrupts healthy business competition. To suppress this practice, Makassar Customs and Excise launched an intensive operation entitled Operation Octopus which was held during the period April to June 2025. This operation targets a number of districts and cities in South Sulawesi.

The Head of Makassar Customs and Excise, Ade Irawan, revealed that in the latest action, his party managed to confiscate 505,162 illegal cigarettes from five regions, namely Makassar City, Gowa Regency, Takalar, Maros, and Jeneponto. All the evidence was found without the valid excise tape attached, violating the provisions of the legislation regarding excise.

"The economic value of the illegal cigarettes that are secured is estimated at more than Rp. 750 million. The potential loss to the state from not collecting excise on this item reaches around Rp. 488.3 million," said Ade in his official statement, as quoted by ANTARA.

The types of illegal cigarettes found include various brands such as King Garet, Max One, Smith, Boss Café Latte, Geboy Flavor, YS Pro Mild, Hummer, Balveer, and Angker. Meanwhile, of the type, it consists of Machine Kretek Cigarettes (SKM), Hand Kretek Cigarettes (SKT), and Machine White Cigarettes (SPM).

Ade emphasized that this action is part of preventive and repressive efforts in eradicating the circulation of illegal excisable goods that have the potential to damage the economic order and harm state revenues. He emphasized that his party would continue to carry out massive and coordinated surveillance.

"This step shows Customs and Excise's commitment to enforcing the rules and providing protection to legal business actors from unhealthy competition," he added.

Regarding the violations committed, Ade explained that the perpetrators could be charged with Article 54 of Law Number 39 of 2007 concerning Excise. The sanctions include imprisonment of at least one year and a maximum of five years, as well as a fine of two to ten times the excise value that should have been paid.

As a follow-up, Makassar Customs and Excise managed to secure state revenues through the Ultimum Remedium (UR) mechanism with a total of more than Rp109 million. Octopus operations have also expanded their supervision throughout the distribution chain, including illegal tobacco producers and distributors, to ensure that supervision is carried out thoroughly from upstream to downstream.

In addition to prosecution, education to the public and business actors is also an important part of the strategy. The Customs and Excise Team also provides counseling to shop owners about the characteristics of illegal cigarettes, such as fake excise stamps, used, not in accordance with the designation, or no ribbon at all.

"We also convey legal sanctions and reporting procedures for people who find indications of illegal cigarettes. This is part of active supervision to create an orderly market and secure state revenues," concluded Ade.