Kotabaru Naval Base, Custom destroy 35,200 illegal cigarettes

Kotabaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Kotabaru Naval Base together with the Customs Office, Kotabaru Police, and other agencies destoyed 35,200 illegal cigarettes at the Naval Base headquarters.

Previously, the Kotabaru Naval Base had foiled a smuggling of 31,600 cigarettes without excise stamps (illegal) of various brands in the Selat Laut Kotabaru waters, South Kalimantan Province.

Commander of the Naval Base Marine Lt. Col. (P) Muhammad Harun Arrasyid said the evidence consisted of 31,600 cigaretes from Kotabaru Naval Base's operation and 3,600 cigarettes from the joint operation.

"The total value is estimated at Rp52,272,000 with state potential loss from excise of Rp26,259,200," said Harun here on Friday.

The destruction of evidence, he said, is part of the national simultaneou destruction centered in Batam led by the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs.

"This activity is centered in Batam and led Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs. While in Kotabaru, our focus is on cigarettes without excise stamps that were seized during two weeks maritime intelligence operation,” Harun expounded.

The ship carrying illegal cigarettes, he said, departed from Raas Island, Madura, towards Kotabaru waters.

"Their main cargo was salt, but after inspection, boxes containing illegal cigarettes were found not listed on the manifest. We immediately coordinated with Customs as the authorized agency,” said the Commander.

“We handed over the cigarettes to the Customs, while we coordinated with KSOP (Port Authority Office) about the ship because the documents were incomplete,” he added.

Head of Kotabaru Customs Muhammad Budy Hermanto said this violation falls within the realm of excise crime.

Howeer, the settelement of the case was conducted administratively based on Article 40B of Law No. 7/2021 consernng Tax Harmonization.

"The violaters have paid an administrative fine of three times the excise value, totaling Rp78,777,600," said Budy Hermanto.

The evidence of illegal cigarettes had been determined as State Property (BMN) and officially destroyed.