Indonesian Customs Seize Smuggling Ship with Contraband Tobacco

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai

May.08.2024

Indonesian Customs Seize Smuggling Ship with Contraband Tobacco

Indonesian authorities seized a high-speed boat carrying smuggled tobacco near Riau islands, acting on local tip-offs.

According to Indonesian media Bisnis's report on May 3rd, the customs department on the island of Batam, Indonesia, has once again seized a "speedboat" carrying smuggled tobacco in the waters near the Riau Islands. The investigation into this incident was initiated based on information provided by local residents, including details about a vessel suspected of carrying dutiable goods.

According to Evi Octavia, an official from the Bangka Island customs department, on May 2, 2024, they received information about a high-speed craft departing from Number 6 Bridge on Bangka Island, heading to the Riau Islands to transport illegal tobacco.

Subsequently, the patrol team of the Batam Island customs quickly sprang into action to conduct an investigation and communicated with the customs department's vessel 1101 on how to ensure the safety of high-speed boats. The patrol team successfully intercepted the target vessel at 23:00 local time, which was found to be carrying smuggled tobacco and 7 crew members. They, along with the smuggled tobacco, were escorted by the patrol team to the designated dock on Batam Island for further inspection.

After gaining control, BC officials on Batam Island inspected the cargo of a high-speed boat. Upon inspection, they found 184,000 untaxed cigarettes on board. Avi Octavia stated that this operation violated regulations laid out in the Customs Act of 2006 and Taxation Act of 2007.

References:

[1] Bea Cukai Batam Tangkap Kapal Penyelundup Rokok Ilegal di Perairan Pulau Buaya

Also Read:

[1] Indonesian Tobacco Industry Protests Government Regulations as Threats Emerge

[2] Challenges and Opportunities in Indonesia's Tobacco Industry

[3] Counterfeit Goods Destroyed in Joint Operation in West Java

[4] Indonesian Navy Destroys Illegal Tobacco Worth Billions of Rupiah

#Law enforcement #Traditional tobacco #Asia #Indonesia #Customs

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