The Surabaya City Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), together with the Sidoarjo Customs and Excise and the Surabaya Metropolitan Police, secured 9,500 illegal cigarettes in South Surabaya during early September.
This action is aimed at eradicating the circulation of cigarettes without excise stamps, which are still widespread in the market.
“We carry out this activity periodically. This joint operation is a form of our synergy with Sidoarjo Customs and Excise. Besides violating regulations, the circulation of illegal cigarettes also harms state revenue,” the statement said.
In the early September operation, officers secured 475 packs or approximately 9,500 illegal cigarettes being sold by street vendors.
“We conducted surveillance and operations at three locations, all in the South Surabaya area. Two locations were grocery stores, where no findings were made. At the last location, we found illegal cigarettes being traded by a street cigarette seller,” the statement explained.
In addition to enforcement, officers also provided socialization to traders, both those caught selling and those who were not.
“We also conducted socialization, advising them not to trade these illegal cigarettes. If sellers are still found selling illegal cigarettes in the future, we, together with Sidoarjo Customs and other joint officers, will take firm action in accordance with applicable procedures and regulations,” the statement emphasized.
Meanwhile, the secured evidence consisted of plain illegal cigarettes or those without excise stamps.
“The secured evidence will undergo further research to determine the type of excise violation based on Law Number 39 of 2007 concerning Excise,” the statement said.
It was added that these joint operations will continue to be held periodically to suppress the circulation of illegal cigarettes.
“In addition to support from regional apparatus, we also hope for synergy from the public to participate in monitoring and reporting to us or the police if they find indications of illegal cigarette circulation in their surroundings,” the statement concluded.
