January-September, 18 Million Illegal Cigarettes Confiscated By Malang Customs

The circulation of illegal cigarettes is still a serious problem in a number of areas, including Malang. From the January-September 2025 period alone, the Malang Customs and Excise Supervision and Excise Service Office has secured 18.2 million illegal cigarettes.

Head of the Information Counseling and Services Section of the Malang Pitoyo Pribadi Customs and Excise Type Customs and Excise Supervision Office in Malang City, East Java, Sunday, said that the tens of millions of illegal cigarettes came from a total of 76 evidence of prosecution (SBP) carried out by the local Customs.

"From the beginning of the year until now, in September 2025, there was a total of IDR 18,268,128 of the 76 SBPs and one SBP or two prosecutions," Pitoyo said quoting ANTARA, Sunday, September 21.

He said that of the total 18.2 million more illegal cigarettes that were prosecuted, it was estimated that they had a value of Rp. 27.1 billion with the potential to present potential state losses of Rp. 13.6 billion.

"So this is related to tobacco products only," he said.

Based on records, Malang Customs and Excise took action against 2,016,000 illegal cigarettes of the type of kretek machine cigarettes (SKM) and 176,000 illegal cigarette cigarettes of the engine white cigarette (SPM), on Sunday, September 14.

Of the total results of the prosecution, Customs and Excise estimates that the value of illegal goods confiscated is IDR 3.2 billion and has the potential to bring state losses to IDR 1.6 billion.

Pitoyo said that the majority of illegal cigarette confiscations were the result of information provided by the local community, then followed up with direct sweeping efforts to grocery stores and shipping services to gather information.

Not only that, but prosecution was also carried out through a land operation mechanism with joint officers to carry out direct confiscation of illegal cigarette products that would be distributed using box vehicles.

Pitoyo said that he continues to actively socialize the eradication of illegal cigarettes by cooperating with official services within the local government.

"Because those who know that registration of machines (training) are the trade office, they come to each factory to check," he said.