Customs intercepts liquor smuggling boat heading for Batam

The Customs and Excise Office has confiscated illegal liquor worth Rp 1 billion (US$106,000) in an attempt to smuggle it on a boat from Singapore to Batam, the office's spokesperson said Friday.
 
Evy Suhartantyo, the spokesperson, told Antara news agency that customs officers in Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau Islands, intercepted Dua Saudara boat near the Singapore Strait on Friday.
 
The office on Thursday destroyed 103,057 bottles of alcoholic drinks imported illegally at the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) I in the Tanjung Priok port, Jakarta.
 
The government said that smuggling of alcoholic drinks has caused significant potential losses to the state of Rp 69.51 billion this year.
 
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, in response to complaints by businesses that smuggling was widespread due to high duties, said Thursday that the government would study the luxury tax imposed on alcoholic drinks form both customs and trade perspectives.