First Operation 2023, Pekanbaru Customs And Excise Sita 400 Thousand Batang Cigarettes Illegal

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Customs and Excise)

JAKARTA Pekanbaru Customs and Excise officers managed to secure 400,000 illegal cigarettes in Ramba, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province. Head of the Pekanbaru Customs Office Tommy Hutomo said this action was the first operation in early 2023 with a value of around Rp. 331 million.

"We managed to crack down on plain cigarettes or cigarettes that are not attached to excise tape which has now been brought by officers to the Customs Office for follow-up," he said in a written statement quoted on Sunday, January 8.

According to Tommy, this action stems from public information that earlier this week there would be a means of transportation suspected of carrying cigarettes that were not attached to the excise tape from Kampar to Rokan Hulu.

The Pekanbaru Illegal Customs Cigarette Attack Team immediately developed a strategy and headed for the interception site. In the operation, we found 40 cartons of illegal cigarettes with the potential to prevent state losses of Rp. 331 million," he said.

Tommy added, apart from not fulfilling excise duty, cigarettes that are not attached to excise stamps do not have quality control or product quality provisions so that they can endanger the community.

He explained, based on Law Number 39 of 2007 it was stated that anyone who offers, submits, sells, or provides for the sale of excisable goods that are not packaged for retail sales or are not attached to excise stamps can be punished.

"This action is a manifestation of Pekanbaru's Customs and Excise commitment in carrying out its duties and functions as a community protector, namely as a protector of the public from illegal goods," concluded Tommy.