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.

 

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

Shunhao Shares Reports 2025 Revenue of RMB 1.188 Billion, While Q1 2026 Net Profit Rises 49.94% and New Tobacco Operations Continue
Shunhao Shares Reports 2025 Revenue of RMB 1.188 Billion, While Q1 2026 Net Profit Rises 49.94% and New Tobacco Operations Continue
Shunhao Shares’ 2025 annual report summary and first-quarter 2026 report show that the company recorded 2025 revenue of RMB 1.188 billion, down 21.78% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose 30.00% to RMB 58.94 million. In the first quarter of 2026, revenue was RMB 291.51 million, down 10.34% year on year, while attributable net profit rose 49.94% to RMB 19.98 million.
Apr.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Nature Health Comment Urges Wider Role for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products in Tobacco Control
Nature Health Comment Urges Wider Role for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products in Tobacco Control
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, a Nature Health Comment by Robert Beaglehole, Ruth Bonita and Tikki Pang argues that regulated smoke-free nicotine products could help accelerate the global decline in smoking. The authors propose a “smoke-free 2040” goal and call for risk-proportionate regulation distinguishing cigarettes from lower-risk nicotine alternatives.
News
May.20
Indonesian Health Ministry Says New Vape Rules Will Cover Age Limits, Advertising, and Product Standards
Indonesian Health Ministry Says New Vape Rules Will Cover Age Limits, Advertising, and Product Standards
Indonesia’s Ministry of Health is preparing to implement regulations on electronic cigarettes, as provided for in Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024. The ministry said e-cigarettes will be regulated under provisions equivalent to those applied to conventional cigarettes, including age restrictions, advertising controls, product content standards, pictorial health warnings, and bans on use in smoke-free areas.
Apr.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
AIR Shares Drop 18.6% in Nasdaq Debut, Testing Hookah’s Move Toward Public Markets
AIR Shares Drop 18.6% in Nasdaq Debut, Testing Hookah’s Move Toward Public Markets
AIR Global’s Nasdaq debut under ticker AIIR ended with a 18.6% first-day decline, giving the global hookah industry a rare public-market reference point. Beyond one company’s share move, the listing raises a broader question: can a culturally rooted, fragmented and venue-based category evolve into a more scalable and investable consumer sector?
Special Report
May.19
Special Report| War continues to shape the Ukrainian tobacco market
Special Report| War continues to shape the Ukrainian tobacco market
Four years into the war, Ukraine’s tobacco market is being reshaped by stress-driven consumption, tax pressure, youth e-cigarette use and a growing illicit segment. Surveys point to rising tobacco and nicotine product use, while higher excise duties and shadow trade are adding new complexity to the market.
Apr.17
Australia Quantifies Black Market for First Time, Illicit Nicotine Products Account for About 80% of Consumption
Australia Quantifies Black Market for First Time, Illicit Nicotine Products Account for About 80% of Consumption
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its first estimate of the illicit nicotine market, finding that about 80% of cigarettes, vapes and other nicotine products consumed in 2025 came from illegal sources, reigniting debate over tobacco taxation and enforcement policies.
Jun.03