191.792 Illegal Cigarettes From The US, UK, China And Singapore Seized By Batam Customs

The Batam Customs Excise Operations Team traced the circulation of illegal cigarettes in the local area. (ANTARA/ HO-BC Batam)

BATAM - A total of 191.792 illegal cigarettes imported from the United States (US), Britain, China, and Singapore, were confiscated by Batam Customs. The amount when calculated is IDR 284.26 million.

The Head of the Batam Customs Information Service Section Undani stated that the cigarettes were confiscated because they did not have excise stamps attached, fake excise tapes were attached, or expired excise tapes were attached. "Our excise operations will be carried out in the period from March 10 to 16, 2022," he said.

The Batam Customs and Excise Operations Team traced the circulation of illegal cigarettes in the local area, based on the development of public information.

"We found various brands and types of both machine white cigarettes (SPM) and machine-made kretek cigarettes (SKM)," he said.

The confiscated illegal cigarettes were then secured and taken to the Batam Customs and Excise Main Service Office for further investigation.

His party assessed that the results of the action of the Batam Customs Excise Operations Team amounted to IDR 284.26 million with a potential state loss of IDR 212.22 million.

Undani explained, the excise operation activities carried out for a week resulted in 12 Proof of Enforcement (SBP).

So that the total SBP that has been issued since the last five months is 47 SBP, namely securing 966.735 illegal cigarettes with an estimated value of IDR 1.05 billion, and saving potential state losses of IDR 749.66 million.

"This excise operation will be held regularly. The goal is to eradicate the circulation of illegal cigarettes in Batam, because it can cause harm to the state and society," said Undani.

He stressed that his party will continue to work to reduce the number of illegal cigarettes. "Of course, this role will be better if there is an active role for the community in conveying information regarding the existence of illegal cigarettes. This will greatly assist the task of Batam Customs in conducting surveillance," he said.

Customs and Excise appreciate people who provide information on indications of illegal cigarette circulation.