Customs seizes 10 million illegal cigarettes off North Aceh
Five crew members were also detained, while the boat, passports, cellphones and a satellite phone were seized for investigation.
A joint Customs team foiled the smuggling of about 10 million illegal cigarettes in the waters off Tanjung Jambo Aye, North Aceh Regency, on Friday (30/10). Officers secured the motor vessel KM Suvana GT 76 after the BC 30004 marine patrol grew suspicious of the wooden boat while it was sailing in the area. Inspection found about 1.086 cartons of HD-brand cigarettes without excise bands. Five crew members identified as W, R, E, FA, and FK were also detained. In addition to the cigarette cargo, Customs seized the vessel, five passports, five cellphones, one satellite phone, and the ship manifest. All crew members and evidence were taken to the PSO Customs Dock in Lhokseumawe for further examination. The operation involved Kanwil Bea Cukai Aceh, Bea Cukai Lhokseumawe, and PSO Bea Cukai Lhokseumawe.