Semarang Customs seizes 3.28 million illegal cigarettes

Semarang Customs officers intercepted a shipment of 3.28 million illegal cigarettes at the Banyumanik Toll Gate in Semarang, Central Java. The seizure occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 9, 2026, during a patrol along the Salatiga-Semarang-Kendal toll road.

Officers discovered the contraband hidden behind piles of galvanized iron in a blue truck. The smugglers reportedly used falsified shipping documents to disguise the illegal cargo. The shipment consisted of 205 cartons of Machine-Made Clove Cigarettes (SKM) lacking official excise stamps.

The total value of the seized goods is estimated at Rp 4.87 billion, with potential state losses from excise evasion reaching Rp 3.17 billion. Two drivers and a crew member were detained, and the vehicle and goods have been moved to the Semarang Customs Office for further legal proceedings.