According to a Pikiran-Rakyat report on May 17, the Intermediate Customs Supervision and Service Office of Madya Kudus, Central Java Province, Indonesia, destroyed 11.2499 million bottles that were seized after arriving at Kudus Customs at the Katini Hall in Jepara County on that day. Illegal cigarettes worth approximately IDR 1.41 billion (USD 88,229) were involved.
District Government Secretary Edy Sujatmiko expressed appreciation for the performance of Kudus Customs in combating illegal cigarettes.
"The circulation of illegal cigarettes affects the state's revenue from taxation."
He stressed that state revenue generated through taxation is crucial to improving the welfare of the people through the Tobacco Products Tax Allocation Fund (DBHCHT).
He further pointed out: “This year, Yepara County received 14.1 billion Indonesian rupiah (USD 882,297) in DBHCHT allocation. 50% of it was used to improve people’s welfare, 40% was invested in the health field, and the remaining 10% was used for publicity and Law Enforcement.”
Central Java Provincial Customs Director Hannan Budiharto said that Kudus Customs faces a tax revenue target of 4.4 billion Indonesian rupiah ($275,326) in 2024. This number is the largest among the Central Java and Yogyakarta regional customs.