Batam Customs Confiscates Vapes To Illegal Excise Cigarettes Worth IDR 13.7 Billion

Illegal excisable goods confiscated by Batam Customs and Excise. (Between)

RIAU - Batam Customs and Excise took action against illegal excisable goods worth Rp. 13.7 billion in the last six months.

"Batam Customs and Excise has succeeded in taking action against illegal excisable goods worth Rp. 13.7 billion in mid-2023," said Head of the Batam Customs Office, Ambang Priyonggo in his statement, Wednesday, August 9, confiscated by Antara. He confiscated these illegal items, namely illegal cigarettes covering 8,819,577 cigarettes, 1,120 grams of dense e-cigarettes (vapes), 49,848,20 milliliters of liquid vapes, and 1,380 grams of HPTL.

"Thus, the total estimated value of tobacco goods smuggled reached Rp. 12,535,787,000, with a potential state loss of Rp. 7,419,573,000," he said. with an estimated value of goods of Rp. 1,208,831,000 and a potential state loss of Rp. 1,052,983,000.

He said the prosecution of 7.5 million illegal cigarettes carried out by the Batam Customs and Excise covers various brands such as HD, Manchester, Revo and others which are carried out through the mechanism of monitoring marine patrols and market operations carried out with the TNI-Polri and Satpol PP. "We understand that we cannot do this alone, there needs to be support and collaboration with other officers, so that the implementation of supervision of illegal cigarettes can run optimally. So far, three people have been named as suspects and have been in the process at trial," he said.

The action, he said, was aimed at ensuring compliance with retail sellers of Excise Goods in Batam, which is part of a free trade area and a free port.

In addition, these activities are part of the continued efforts of Batam Customs and Excise, in maintaining the stability of trade and the country's economy. "Batam Customs and Excise will continue to monitor and take action against illegal practices that harm the economy by continuing to maintain coordination and cooperation between agencies, as well as utilizing the latest technology. It is hoped that this kind of action can continue to be carried out to create a better trade environment in Indonesia in the future," he said.