Cigarettes Without Excise Bands Still Circulating In Ponorogo: Customs Officers And Satpol PP Hold Raids

Satpol PP officers inspected a shop suspected of selling illegal cigarettes in Ponorogo/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA While carrying out operations at a number of shops and kiosks in the Babadan District and around Ponorogo City, joint officers from Satpol PP and the Madiun Customs Service and Supervision Office (KPPBC), East Java found the circulation of plain or illegal cigarettes because they were not equipped with excise stamps.

"There were 30 shops that were targeted in the operation. As a result, we managed to secure two slops containing 24 packs of illegal cigarettes," said Head of the Ponorogo Regency Satpol PP, Joko Waskito, quoted from Antara, Thursday, September 28.

The joint operation has recently been carried out by the Madiun Customs Office by involving the Satpol PP for security and order.

Previous operations targeted shops and kiosks in the Slaung and Sawoo sub-districts in mid-June 2023 and then in the next raid in the Slaung and Ngrayun sub-districts in mid-September (2023).

This time, plain cigarettes were again detected circulating and traded in several shops in the Babadan and Ponorogo sub-districts. Two areas are still classified as urban areas.

"It is usually sold in remote areas or suburban areas of the district, but this is found in urban areas, of course this will be our special attention," he said.

Joko said he would continue to carry out operations with Madiun Customs and Excise routinely to eradicate the circulation of illegal cigarettes, so that Ponorogo was free or zero illegal cigarettes.

"Until the end of the year we will hold routine operations, until it is true that Ponorogo zero illegal cigarettes," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Madiun Customs Enforcement and Investigation Section, Susetia, said that the spread of illegal cigarettes has always been dynamic.

Therefore, his party will continue to carry out socialization and prosecution.

"Although during the operation we did not find it, we will make regular visits so that efforts to eradicate illegal cigarettes can be maximized," he explained.

Susetia also hopes that the public will play a role in eradicating the circulation of illegal cigarettes. The public is asked not to sell, consume or produce illegal cigarettes. In addition, if you know that there are illegal cigarettes, you can report them to law enforcement officials (APH).

"With this socialization and prosecution, the public can understand illegal cigarettes and the characteristics of illegal cigarettes. The public can also support the government in fighting illegal cigarettes," he said.