Customs And Excise Thwarts Illegal Cigarette Circulation Of IDR 1.3 Billion In East Aceh And Arrests 3 Perpetrators

The alleged perpetrator along with illegal cigarettes and transportation facilities at the Langsa Customs Office, Thursday (25/1/2024). ANTARA/HO-Bea Excise Langsa.

ACEH - The Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office (KPPBC) Type Papuan C Langsa, Aceh, thwarted the circulation of illegal cigarettes worth IDR 1.3 billion in Julok District, East Aceh Regency. Head of KPPBC Type Madya Customs C Langsa Sulaiman said, in addition to securing more than 702,000 illegal cigarettes, officers also arrested three suspected perpetrators. "Three suspected perpetrators with the initials RS, FA, and TF. After further investigation, RS and FA were named suspects and detained at Langsa Class II B Prison. Meanwhile, TF status as a witness," said Sulaiman in Langsa, quoted from Antara, Thursday, January 25. Sulaiman said that the disclosure of the circulation of illegal cigarettes began with information from the public that illegal cigarettes were sent from Kuta Binjai to Lhok Nibong, Julok District, East Aceh Regency on Monday night. From this information, customs officers carried out an action operation. Officers found a pickup truck in accordance with public information. Then, the officers stopped the pickup truck and examined it. From the results of the examination, it was found that illegal cigarettes of various brands from abroad without excise tape attached. "From the results of the inspection of the transportation facilities, it was found that more than 702,000 cigarettes were illegal with an estimated value of Rp. 1.3 billion," said Sulaiman. Sulaiman added that from the value of these goods, it is estimated that the excise value will reach more than IDR 732.1 million. Meanwhile, the potential loss to the state due to this illegal practice reached IDR 891.8 million.

"The figure of state losses reflects the serious impact of the circulation and trade of illegal cigarettes on the country's economy. We invite the public to continue to provide information regarding illegal practices for the sake of upholding law and justice in Indonesia," said Sulaiman.