Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Makassar Customs and Excise Office has intercepted 505,162 illegal cigarettes during Operation Gurita across five South Sulawesi districts between April and June 2025.

“The seized goods are valued at more than Rp 750 million, with potential state revenue losses estimated at over Rp 488 million,” said Ade Irawan, the Head of Makassar Customs, on Sunday (8/6/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

The operation covered Makassar, Gowa, Takalar, Maros, and Jeneponto. Brands included King Garet, Smith, Boss Café Latte, and others in machine-rolled and hand-rolled forms—all without excise tax stamps.

“This is a firm effort to protect lawful businesses and suppress illegal tobacco distribution,” Ade said, citing violations of the Excise Law, which carries up to five years’ imprisonment and heavy fines.

Customs also recovered Rp 109.6 million in penalties through the Ultimum Remedium mechanism, which is a legal approach prioritizing administrative fines over criminal prosecution for cooperative offenders..

In addition to enforcement, officers educated retailers on identifying counterfeit or misused tax stamps.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)