ASIATODAY.ID, MAKASSAR – The South Sulawesi Customs Office (Sulbagsel) made a bold move by destroying 13.88 million illegal cigarettes along with other confiscated illegal goods on Monday, December 15, 2025. This action underscores the agency’s commitment to protect the public, close gaps in state revenue, and enforce the law against illegal trade.
In addition to illegal cigarettes, Sulbagsel Customs destroyed 1,715 liters of illegal alcoholic beverages, 215 illegal cosmetics, and 8 Cummins Ship Injectors. The total value of the destroyed items reached IDR 21.6 billion.
Head of the South Sulawesi Customs Office, Djaka Kusmartata, stated, “This destruction is a public accountability measure. Every illegal item we confiscate will not return to circulation and harm society.”
Djaka emphasized that illegal cigarettes and alcoholic beverages not only harm the state revenue but also pose health risks and create unfair business competition.
“Illegal cigarettes disrupt the excise system and affect law-abiding businesses. Illegal alcoholic beverages carry high risks due to lack of quality supervision. We will continue to strengthen oversight and enforcement,” he stressed.
The destruction involved Sulbagsel Customs and four Customs and Excise Offices: Makassar, Parepare, Kendari, and Malili. The items destroyed were confiscated throughout 2024–2025, with violations ranging from fake excise stamps to goods without excise stamps.
Cooperation with law enforcement and local governments has been key to success.
“We cannot work alone. Support from the police, prosecutors, local governments, and the public is essential to break the chain of illegal goods circulation,” said Djaka.
2025 Achievements Surpass Targets
Throughout 2025, Sulbagsel Customs recorded state revenue collection of IDR 597.44 billion, achieving 109.32% of the target of IDR 546.49 billion.
In tobacco excise enforcement, there were 1,929 enforcement actions with a total of 44.97 million illegal cigarettes, preventing potential state losses of up to IDR 45 billion.
Moreover, there were 54 actions against illegal alcoholic beverages (6,576 liters) and 15 actions against illegal imported goods, including cosmetics, medicines, and second-hand clothing (ballpress).
“Illegal imports pose health risks, while ballpress disrupts the national textile industry,” Djaka explained.
Anti-Narcotics Action Saves 1 Million Lives
Sulbagsel Customs has also been active in combating narcotics, psychotropic substances, and precursors (NPP). By November 2025, officers had intercepted over 102 kilograms of narcotics and 93,474 pills, in cooperation with the police, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).
“This effort is estimated to save around one million lives and reduce potential rehabilitation costs by Rp1.67 trillion,” Djaka added.
Concluding his statement, Djaka emphasized that Sulbagsel Customs will continue to strengthen supervision, improve services, and maintain collaboration with all stakeholders.
“We call on the public to join the fight against illegal goods circulation, to safeguard state revenue and protect the nation’s next generation,” he concluded. (AT Network)
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