Customs And Excise Secures 89 Illegal Goods Wingbox Trucks

Director General of Customs and Excise, Lt. Gen. TNI (Ret.) Djaka Budhi Utama. (Photo: Aris Nurjani/VOI)

JAKARTA The Customs and Excise together with joint elements from the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), the Indonesian National Army (TNI), and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) succeeded in thwarting efforts to smuggle thousands of illegal goods at the Taman Raja People's Port, Tungkal Ulu, West Tanjung Jabung Regency, Jambi.

The Director General of Customs and Excise, Lt. Gen. TNI (Ret.) Djaka Budhi Utama said that this operation is clear evidence of the effectiveness of establishing a Smuggling Eradication Task Force in strengthening border surveillance and smuggling-prone sea lanes.

Djaka stated that the success of preventing smuggling was the result of a close synergy between Customs, BIN, BAIS, TNI, and Polri which was effective.

"The Smuggling Eradication Task Force is a coordination umbrella that strengthens joint steps in protecting the community and maintaining the country's economic sovereignty," he said in his statement, Wednesday, August 13.

Djaka said that the disclosure of this smuggling began with intelligence information received by Customs and Excise regarding the smuggling of illegal imported goods by sea in the Jambi area.

He said that following up on this information, Customs and Excise conducted an in-depth information with the joint BIN, BAIS, TNI and Polri teams since early August 2025.

On Sunday, August 10, the joint team found two wooden ships from Port Klang, Malaysia, which docked at the Taman Raja People's Port, Tungkal Ulu, West Tanjung Jabung Regency, Jambi. The first ship, KLM.

Airlangga (GT 168), reported carrying various items such as fishing equipment, spraying insecticides, and other items.

Next is the second ship, KLM. Arya Dwipa Arama (GT 469), reported cargo such as PVC wallpaper, charging cabinet, and other goods. The joint team immediately headed to the ship's dock location and supervised the unloading of goods.

Djaka said that in monitoring the unloading of goods for the two ships, which took place on August 10-12 2025, Customs and Excise and joint teams found cargo that was not in accordance with manifest documents, in the form of textiles and textile products (TPT), ballpress containing used clothes, and other goods. The total findings are estimated at 10,000 koli with an estimated value of goods of more than Rp. 30 billion.

"Although the ship's documents officially included the items, the results of the field inspection showed that there was a discrepancy between the reported cargo and the actual goods being transported," said Djaka.

Furthermore, he conveyed, the joint team took action against the KLM.

Airlangga and KLM. Arya Dwipa Arama and secured eight crew members (ABK) from the two ships, consisting of skippers, chiefs, drivers, and KKM.

In addition, Djaka mturum enamah was even also carried out security for one person who was the field coordinator of the people's port and the joint team also carried out security for the ship's steering, ship's GPS, and ship's documents, as well as for the ship being sealed at the people's port pier.

After the demolition supervision was completed, on Tuesday, August 12, Customs and Excise and a joint team loaded the goods resulting from the action into 89 wingbox trucks to be taken to Pelindo Jambi, with the help of tight escorting the TNI and Polri.

Djaka emphasized that his party had coordinated with the leaders of the TNI, Polri, and the Prosecutor's Office to support the settlement of the case.

According to him, the joint team is currently securing goods to Pelindo Talang Duku Port, Jambi, for further processing.

On the same occasion, Djaka also emphasized Customs' commitment in eradicating smuggling practices.

"Smuggling is not only detrimental to the state in terms of revenue, but also threatens the domestic industry and public health. We will not provide space for smugglers to operate in Indonesian territory," he said.

Dia menyampaikan keberhasilan ini pun mempertegas komitmen Satgas Pemberantasan Penyelundupan dalam mengamankan pintu masuk negara dan mendukung stabilitas perekonomian nasional.

"Dengan dukungan penuh dari TNI, Polri, BIN, BAIS, Kejaksaan, dan instansi terkait lainnya, Bea Cukai akan terus meningkatkan kualitas pengawasan, memastikan setiap upaya penyelundupan dapat terdeteksi dan ditindak secara tegas demi melindungi masyarakat dan menjaga kedaulatan ekonomi negara," ujarnya.

He conveyed that this success also emphasized the commitment of the Smuggling Eradication Task Force in securing the entrance to the country and supporting national economic stability.

"With the full support of the TNI, Polri, BIN, BAIS, the Prosecutor's Office, and other relevant agencies, Customs and Excise will continue to improve the quality of supervision, ensuring that every smuggling effort can be detected and dealt with firmly in order to protect the public and maintain the country's economic sovereignty," he said.