Soekarno-Hatta Customs continues to strengthen surveillance to prevent the smuggling of illegal goods that harm the state and society. This step aligns with the Asta Cita program, which is the strategic vision of President Prabowo Subianto to realize the Golden Indonesia 2045, and serves as the implementation of the duties of the Smuggling Prevention and Eradication Desk, led by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs.
“Customs continues to strive for intensive supervision to safeguard national interests, protect the public from the threat of illegal goods, and ensure legal compliance that promotes sustainable economic growth. Upholding the spirit of Asta Cita, Customs, along with the Police, Prosecutors, TNI, and other related ministries/agencies involved in the Smuggling Prevention and Eradication Desk, are committed to combating smuggling in the fields of customs and excise,” said the Director General of Customs and Excise, Askolani, at a Press Conference at the Soekarno-Hatta Customs Office, Tangerang, Friday (29/11/2024).
Askolani revealed that since the Prevention Desk was established on November 4, 2024, Soekarno-Hatta Customs has carried out 239 actions against illegal goods up to November 27, 2024. The value of the seized goods reached Rp2.9 billion, with a potential state loss of Rp870 million. This amount increased by 7.66% compared to the same period in 2023.
In addition, 28 narcotics, psychotropics, and precursor (NPP) enforcement actions were carried out, with a total weight of evidence amounting to 66.99 kg. The number of enforcement actions increased by 47.37% compared to the same period in 2023.
Overall, throughout 2024, Soekarno-Hatta Customs has recorded outstanding achievements in carrying out its supervisory functions.
“This is part of its role as a community protector and revenue collector.” Various outstanding achievements in the field of supervision demonstrate a strong commitment to maintaining the sovereignty of the economy and national security,” he said.
From the data up to November 27, 2024, it is known that Soekarno-Hatta Customs and Excise has carried out 4,029 enforcement actions or an average of 366 enforcement actions per month. This number increased significantly by 93.3% from the realization of the same period the previous year, which was 2,052 actions in 2023. The total estimated value of the seized goods throughout 2024 is estimated at Rp214.77 billion, with a potential loss to the state that has been saved amounting to Rp38.3 billion.
Soekarno-Hatta Customs also made an extra effort in carrying out their duties as revenue collectors. The total revenue from supervisory activities as of November 27, 2024, amounts to Rp272.53 billion, dominated by cargo supervision at Rp154.83 billion (56.8%), passenger goods supervision at Rp68.6 billion (25.2%), and shipment supervision at Rp49 billion (18%).
In terms of legal certainty for illegal goods smuggling perpetrators, as of November 27, 2024, Soekarno-Hatta Customs has conducted 15 investigations, all of which were successfully P-21, predominantly focusing on investigations into the smuggling of protected/CITES animals, with 12 cases.
As for NPP enforcement, since the beginning of 2024, Soekarno-Hatta Customs has carried out 464 enforcement actions. The number far exceeds narcotics seizures in the previous two years, which were 143 times in 2022 and 105 times in 2023. Narcotics seizures were dominated by the passenger goods modus with 391 times, followed by the shipment goods modus with 63 times, the cargo goods modus with 5 times, and the domestic goods modus with 5 times. The total weight of narcotics evidence successfully seized was 710 kg, and it is estimated that 1.06 million lives have been saved.
From all NPP actions in 2024, it is known that the top five pieces of evidence in NPP actions are precursors with a total of 256,178.1 grams; marijuana with a total of 127,645.91 grams; MDMA/ecstasy with a total of 100,355 grams; MDMB-Inaca or synthetic tobacco with a total of 58,191 grams; psychotropics with a total of 52,795.2 grams; and methamphetamine/shabu-shabu with a total of 39,267.64 grams. Then, the top five countries of origin for narcotics seizures were Spain 119 times; Malaysia 48 times; China 37 times; Singapore 28 times; and Thailand 25 times.
Here are the details of enforcement actions in the field of customs, excise, and NPP by Soekarno-Hatta Customs from November 4-27, 2024:
- Electronic Goods
- 289 units of mobile phones, tablets, and handheld computers worth Rp867 million.
- Including 102 units of iPhones from Batam suspected to be resold.
- Cosmetics and Health Products
- 1,562 cosmetic products worth IDR 152 million.
- 6,383 drugs and supplements that violate regulations.
- Other Products
- 92 kg of meat without official documents.
- Illegal export of 224 kg of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom).
- Wildlife and plants such as deer antlers, elephant ivory, and agarwood without permission.
- Excise and Alcoholic Beverages
- 1.1 million counterfeit excise stamps worth Rp115.23 billion.
- 318 bottles of liquor and 90,520 illegal cigarettes.
- Narcotics Enforcement
- A joint operation with the police successfully uncovered a narcotics laboratory in Bali, seizing 215.48 kg of evidence and arresting 4 suspects.
As a step towards transparency, Soekarno-Hatta Customs destroyed seized goods worth Rp1.2 billion. The destroyed items included 237,905 cigarettes, 632 bottles of alcoholic beverages, 1,682 cosmetic products, parts of animals and plants without permits, and other illegal items.
Askolani emphasized the importance of synergy between the government, law enforcement agencies, and the public in combating smuggling. The success of Customs, he said, is expected to serve as an inspiration to continue maintaining public trust and ensuring the national economy remains strong and secure.
“We invite all parties to continue supporting law enforcement and urge the entire community to join in combating violations,” he concluded.
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