Indonesian Authorities Successfully Intercept Multi-Million Dollar Illegal Tobacco Flow

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.10.2024
Indonesian Authorities Successfully Intercept Multi-Million Dollar Illegal Tobacco Flow
Indonesian authorities successfully intercepted millions worth of illegal cigarettes, arresting suspects and seizing contraband in multiple locations.

According to the report by the Indonesian National News Agency on May 9, a joint enforcement team of customs and police successfully intercepted the circulation of millions of rupees worth of illegal tobacco. During the operation, enforcement officers, led by Sulaiman, seized 2.73 million illegal cigarettes at two different locations.

 

Law enforcement teams successfully intercepted a truck carrying illegal cigarettes in two districts of Aceh Tamiang. According to law enforcement officer Suleiman, after tracking the truck for some time, they managed to intercept it. The team found 1.74 million illegal cigarettes of various brands in the truck, all of which had not paid tobacco taxes.

 

In this operation, the law enforcement team successfully captured two criminal suspects on a truck. Currently, these two criminal suspects have been sent to Langsa Customs for further legal review.

 

In the second enforcement operation, the enforcement team seized a total of 990,000 various brands of illegal cigarettes that had not paid tobacco taxes from another truck. According to Suleiman, the value of these illegal cigarettes seized in this operation is as high as 6.33 billion rupees. When adding the unpaid tobacco taxes, the total value will reach 3.55 billion rupees. The estimated loss to the national treasury is 4.53 billion rupees.

 

Suleiman, in an interview, stated, "The success of this operation would not have been possible without the strong support of the community. We encourage the public to continue participating in efforts to disrupt the circulation of illegal cigarettes, as this behavior seriously damages the country's finances and economy.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

UK Launches Call for Evidence to Shape New Tobacco and Vapes Regulations
UK Launches Call for Evidence to Shape New Tobacco and Vapes Regulations
The UK's Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched an eight-week comprehensive call for evidence to inform new regulations under the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, with a deadline of December 3, 2025. The initiative aims to systematically gather evidence on vape flavors, ingredients, nicotine levels, and product design, as well as proposals for an omnichannel retail licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes and a new product registration system.
Nov.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
ZYN’s Trademark Dilemma in China | Legal Opinion Submitted to 2Firsts
ZYN’s Trademark Dilemma in China | Legal Opinion Submitted to 2Firsts
ZYN faces trademark revocation and enforcement challenges in China. In this legal commentary submitted to 2Firsts, the author examines regulatory gaps, enforcement hurdles, and the high legal risks surrounding nicotine pouch trademarks.
Oct.14
UK Government Announces Tougher Vape Controls with QR-Based Stamp System
UK Government Announces Tougher Vape Controls with QR-Based Stamp System
The UK government will introduce a digital stamp system for all vape products, paired with new enforcement powers including £10,000 fines and possible imprisonment for illegal sales. The measures aim to curb the booming black market and complement restrictions under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, including future regulation of flavours, packaging, and advertising.
Nov.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
NYS Youth Tobacco Use Down 29% Since 2022, Lowest Since 2000
NYS Youth Tobacco Use Down 29% Since 2022, Lowest Since 2000
According to the New York State Department of Health’s latest StatShot (Vol.17, #2025-1), high school tobacco product use in 2024 fell to 17.0%, the lowest rate since 2000, marking a 29% decline from 2022. E-cigarette use decreased from 18.7% to 13.1%, while cigarette use remained low at 2.4%.However, nicotine pouch use increased from 1.5% to 3.0%.
Oct.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea’s Parliament Reconsiders Bill to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine as Tobacco
South Korea’s Parliament Reconsiders Bill to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine as Tobacco
South Korea’s National Assembly is once again reviewing a bill to classify synthetic nicotine as a tobacco product under the Tobacco Business Act. The proposal aims to close regulatory loopholes that allow untaxed, unregulated nicotine liquids — often used by minors — to circulate freely. Lawmakers expect the bill to pass during the current session amid growing public and civic pressure.
Nov.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New Zealand Survey Finds Adult Daily Vaping Prevalence at 11.7%, Concentrated Among Youth and Disadvantaged Groups)
New Zealand Survey Finds Adult Daily Vaping Prevalence at 11.7%, Concentrated Among Youth and Disadvantaged Groups)
A survey report released by the Public Health Communication Centre Aotearoa shows that despite New Zealand implementing stricter vaping regulations in 2025, including a ban on disposable products and tighter flavour restrictions, daily vaping rates continue to rise. The research body urges close monitoring of behavioural changes following the new rules coming into force.
Dec.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai