Suspicious activity at ASDP port leads to seizure of unregistered cigarette shipment from Batam

Customs officers at Tanjunguban Port, Bintan, thwarted an attempt to smuggle illegal cigarettes shipped from Batam, seizing 10 large boxes from a suspicious vehicle.

Suspicious Delivery Raises Red Flags

On Friday, June 20, 2025, Customs officers in Tanjungpinang intercepted a major illegal cigarette shipment at the ASDP Tanjunguban Port in Bintan. Acting on suspicion, officers stopped a Toyota Kijang Innova that had just received cargo from a RoRo ferry arriving from Punggur, Batam. Inside the vehicle, they found 10 large boxes containing unregistered cigarettes of various brands.

The driver, identified as OES, a resident of Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, initially refused inspection. His behavior raised concerns during the unloading process, prompting customs officers to coordinate with port military security (Babinsa) for access to the vehicle.

Smuggling Route: From Batam to Bintan

According to Ade Novan, Head of Enforcement and Investigation at Customs Tanjungpinang, the cigarettes were loaded loosely on the deck of a RoRo ferry departing from Punggur Port at around 1:00 PM. Upon the vessel’s arrival at 2:00 PM, port workers transferred the boxes directly into OES’s vehicle.

The cigarettes were reportedly consigned from an unidentified individual in Batam and handed over to a RoRo crew member. OES claimed he was merely asked to retrieve the package at the port and denied knowledge of the shipment’s contents or ownership.

Driver Interrogated, Then Released

Although the boxes were seized and taken to the Tanjungpinang Customs office for evidence handling, the driver was not immediately detained. He was questioned and later released while investigations into the origin and ownership of the illegal cargo continue.

Officials are now working to trace the sender from Batam and examine potential links to larger smuggling networks operating between islands in Riau Islands Province.

Authorities Tighten Surveillance

The seizure is part of intensified enforcement efforts by Indonesian Customs to curb illicit tobacco trade in the Riau Archipelago. The porous maritime routes between Batam and surrounding islands are frequently exploited for smuggling due to their high traffic and minimal screening on inter-island ferries.

This case demonstrates the ongoing challenge in monitoring domestic ports, where smugglers rely on trusted couriers and minimal documentation to move goods discreetly.

Impact and Legal Follow-up

Customs has not disclosed the total value of the seized cigarettes, but given Indonesia’s heavy taxes on tobacco products, the financial and regulatory implications are significant. Authorities emphasized their commitment to pursuing legal action against the responsible parties once identified.

The incident reinforces the need for enhanced collaboration between port authorities, customs, and local law enforcement to disrupt the flow of illegal goods that threaten public health and government revenue.

This seizure highlights Indonesia’s persistent struggle against illegal tobacco distribution, a concern shared across maritime borders including Singapore. The incident at Tanjunguban Port is not only a blow to smuggling networks but also a reminder of the vigilance required to protect regulated trade and public safety.

Sources: Batam Pos (2025) , Tuah Kepri (2025)

Keywords: Illegal Cigarettes, Batam To Bintan, Tanjunguban Port, Customs Tanjungpinang, Tobacco Smuggling, Kijang Innova