Kudus Customs And Excise Failed To Send Illegal Cigarettes Worth IDR 275 Million Via Expedition Services

KUDUS - Customs Supervision and Service Office (KPPBC) Type Madya Kudus, Central Java, thwarted the delivery of illegal cigarettes through an expedition service with evidence of 219,471 sticks.

"Evidence of such illegal cigarettes was successfully secured from Jalan Pecangaan-Batealit, Banyuputih Village, Kalinyamatan District, Jepara Regency," said Head of the KPPBC Information Extension and Service Section of the Kudus Intermediate Type of Excise, Sandy Hendratmo, Sopan quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 23.

Hundreds of thousands of cigarettes without excise tape attached, he said, were sent using minibuses on Tuesday (23/5) in the morning which were packaged into 16 cartons and three batteries.

The value of the illegal cigarette evidence is estimated at IDR 275.44 million, while the potential loss to the state is IDR 188.78 million.

He hopes that the enforcement of officers can suppress the circulation of illegal cigarettes. The public is also asked to participate in fighting it by reporting when they know its circulation.

"The circulation of illegal cigarettes can cause a decline in the production of the official cigarette industry, so workers will also feel the impact because companies can reduce workers," he said.

This, he added, could certainly increase poverty and could be one of the triggers for the rise of crime in society.

Efforts to socialize the attacks of illegal cigarettes in collaboration with all local governments and law enforcement officers are also massive. Both from the district level to the villages to provide understanding to the public about the dangers and negative impacts of the circulation of illegal cigarettes.

Head of the Kudus Moch Customs Office. Arif Setijo Noegroho really hopes that public awareness will not be permissive in the existence of illegal cigarettes.

"If there is information related to illegal cigarettes, we will report it to us because we will protect the confidentiality of the identity of the reporter. For people who want to do business in the tobacco products industry, they are advised to take care of licensing the Main Number of Excise Goods Entrepreneurs (NPPBKC) at Kudus Customs without being charged," he said.