South Kalimantan's Kotabaru Lanal Thwarts Illegal Cigarette Smuggling, Evidence Destroyed

A total of 35,200 illegal cigarettes without excise stamps were destroyed by the Kotabaru Navy Base (Lanal), South Kalimantan, along with the Customs Office, Kotabaru Police, and a number of related agencies.

The Commander of Lanal Kotabaru, Marine Lieutenant Colonel (P) Muhammad Harun Arrasyid, said that the evidence consisted of 31,600 cigarettes from Lanal's action and 3,600 sticks from joint operations.

"The total value of goods is estimated at IDR 52,272,000 with the potential loss of the state from excise around IDR 26,259,200," said Harun in Kotabaru, Antara, Friday, July 13.

The destruction was carried out simultaneously nationally centered in Batam and led by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam). In Kotabaru, the main focus is cigarettes without excise stamps confiscated during the two weeks of maritime intelligence operations.

Harun explained that the illegal cigarettes were transported by ship from Raas Island, Madura, to Kotabaru waters. The ship carried the main cargo in the form of salt. However, when examined, officers found cardboard containing thousands of excise cigarettes that were not listed in the manifest.

"As soon as the violation was found, we immediately coordinated with Customs and Excise as an authorized agency," said Harun.

In addition to submitting cigarette evidence to Customs and Excise, Lanal also coordinated with the Office of the Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP) regarding the completeness of the ship's documents concerned.

Head of the Kotabaru Customs Office, Muhammad Budy Hermanto, said that this violation was included in the category of excise crime. However, the settlement was taken through administrative channels in accordance with Article 40B of Law Number 7 of 2021 concerning Harmonization of Tax Regulations.

"Violators have paid administrative fines of three times the excise value, a total of Rp. 78,777,600," said Budy.

The evidence of these illegal cigarettes has been designated as State Property (BMN) and has been officially destroyed.

"This destruction is proof of our commitment to protect the public from illegal goods and reduce potential state losses," added Budy.

He also appreciated the cooperation of all agencies involved in the supervision, prosecution, and destruction of illegal goods in the Kotabaru waters.