102,400 Illegal Cigarettes Smuggled Using Batam Passenger Ships

Batam Customs Officer, Riau Islands thwarted the smuggling of 102,400 cigarettes from a passenger ship last week (23/2/2023). (ANTARA)

Batam Customs and Excise thwarted the smuggling of 102,400 cigarettes using passenger ships in the waters of Sekupang, Batam City, Riau Islands.

Batam Customs and Excise again secured a passenger ship last week. The action we took was to thwart the smuggling of 102,400 illegal tobacco (smoking) goods," said Batam Customs Information and Information Service Head M. Rizki Baidillah, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 28.

He explained that the disclosure of the case when Customs and Excise officers received information that a passenger ship was carrying illegal cigarettes, so officers immediately carried out marine patrols and checked the ship.

He said that after the inspection, it was found that there were 102,400 illegal BKCs of cigarettes in the passenger ship with the trademark 'H MIND', resulting in confiscation.

"Based on development, the settlement of this case uses the principle of ultimum remedium by paying administrative sanctions in the form of fines of 3 times the excise value that should have been paid in the amount of Rp205,518,000," he said.

He said efforts to eradicate illegal cigarettes carried out by the Batam Customs and Excise were a continuous activity from year to year.

This activity was carried out together with other law enforcement officers as well as the community, with synergy and collaboration, efforts to suppress the circulation of illegal cigarettes in Indonesia, especially in Batam, will become increasingly optimal.