Raids In 12 Districts Of Central Lombok, 32,348 Illegal Cigarettes Worth Rp33 Million Secured By Satpol PP

Central Lombok Satpol PP officers, NTB during a raid on illegal cigarettes. (ANTARA/Special)

LOMBOK - A total of 32,348 illegal cigarettes in Central Lombok Regency were confiscated by a combination of elements from the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and Mataram Customs during raids carried out in dozens of local sub-districts.

He said thousands of illegal cigarettes were confiscated in several stalls, kiosks, and shops in the Districts of Praya, East Praya, Central Praya, Kopang, Janapria, North Batukliang, Batukliang, West Praya, Southwest Praya, and Pujut.

"The confiscated illegal cigarettes were the result of monitoring and supervision operations in the field of Tobacco Excise (HT) in our area", said Secretary of the Central Lombok Regency Satpol PP, Maskur in Praya, West Nusa Tenggara Province, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, August 9.

As long as the activities are carried out selectively, Maskur said inspections are also carried out on the means of transporting excisable goods.

In addition, his party provides counseling activities related to the provisions in the field of excise, especially understanding, general identification methods related to plain cigarettes, used excise tapes, fake excise tapes, and affixing excise tapes that do not comply with the provisions as well as attaching stickers on criminal matters in the excise sector.

"The raids were carried out in all areas in 12 sub-districts in Central Lombok", he said.

If the results of joint market operations are found to have violated the provisions of laws and regulations in the field of excise, take action in the form of termination, prevention, sealing, inspection, and other necessary actions for transportation means and goods.

"The estimated state loss from the confiscated illegal cigarettes is around IDR 33 million", he said.

He said, before conducting the raid, his party had also conducted outreach to the public and information data collectors. This was done as a form of commitment to eradicating the circulation of illegal cigarettes in the Central Lombok Regency.

"We will attack the circulation of illegal cigarettes in Central Lombok", he said.

He also appealed to the public to be able to report when they find illegal cigarettes sold in stalls and shops, so that Central Lombok is free from illegal cigarettes.

"We expect support from the community so that they can report to the authorities when illegal cigarettes are sold", he said.