Riau – The circulation of illegal cigarettes from Batam is increasingly widespread and rampant in every district and city in Riau province, state losses are estimated to reach a fantastic figure of more than IDR 97 trillion in 2024, and that is only for the H&D cigarette brand. What about the Feloz Luffman type and many other brands.
In the midst of ongoing eradication efforts, the spotlight is now focused on the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) Riau Islands (Kepri) and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) Riau.
It is suspected that the two areas of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) are still not optimal in dealing with the illegal cigarette mafia syndicate allegedly belonging to Thong Chee Heng alias Thong Seng which is managed or marketed by his right-hand man allegedly named Hendra and other members.
Illegal factories operating in Batam produce these illicit goods using suspected dangerous chemicals, such as pesticides and preservatives, which are clearly dangerous for public health. It is suspected that nicotine and TAR levels far exceed safe limits, this cigarette risks slowly killing consumers.
The mafia network recorded by the team of media crew still revolves around the Jong Hua and Thong Chee Heng networks who control the circulation of illegal cigarettes from the Riau Islands which are increasingly well organized, using back roads and small ports to smuggle cigarettes into various areas in general and especially in the Riau region. Efficient and structured distribution involving APH has allowed millions of packs of illegal cigarettes to infiltrate all areas in Riau.
The names Jong Hua and Thong Chee Heng, known as the Illegal Cigarette Mafia, are now increasingly well known among law enforcement officials. Jong Hua controls the distribution of illegal cigarettes with an iron fist, PT Adhi Mukti Persada as one of the illegal cigarette production processes, while Thong Chee Heng and through PT Adhi Mukti Perkasa control the sea and land distribution.
One of the largest contributors to excise tax from CK1 is the third-ranked company name PT. Adhi Mukti Persada. This has been created since 2020 thanks to the collaboration of maintained efficiency systems and organized logistics between the Logistics Ecosystem Agency (BLE) and the company PT. Adhi Mukti Persada (code G2B) and system collaboration with PT. Adhi Mukti Perkasa (code B2B).
Indodata’s latest data shows that state losses due to the distribution of illegal H&D cigarettes alone in 2024 are estimated to reach more than IDR 97 trillion, while in 2021 it will be recorded at more than IDR 53 trillion, not to mention other brands of illegal cigarettes. It is estimated that state losses could reach more than IDR 200 trillion.
The government and law enforcement officials through the National Police Chief and the Director General of Customs and Excise, the Riau Regional Police and the Riau Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) must realize that law enforcement against the illegal cigarette mafia cannot be done half-heartedly. More measured, firm and decisive and comprehensive action is needed to dismantle this syndicate down to its roots and the top leadership of the Illegal Cigarette Mafia.
The Investigation86 media crew team and together with other media teams are currently compiling a report to be reported to the Riau Regional Police and the Riau Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) as well as to the National Police Chief regarding crimes created and developed by the Illegal Cigarette Mafias and paralyzing the circulation of Illegal Cigarettes, especially in the Riau region. (Team)
