Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – For the umpteenth time, officers from Customs, TNI and Satpol PP of Malang City conducted an operation on the circulation of alcoholic beverages (miras), especially those suspected of using fake excise. This time on Thursday, (13/3/2022) night until Friday (1/4/2022) early morning, officers targeted six shops selling liquor.
As a result, three of the six shops visited by shop owners had deceived officers and claimed not to sell liquor. However, after a search, officers confiscated 861 bottles of liquor that were suspected of using fake excise stamps. Officers from Customs will continue to investigate further regarding this finding.
This was conveyed by the Functional Officer of Malang Customs Enforcement, Andi Budianto. According to him, if proven, the shop owner is threatened with a five-year prison sentence and a progressive fine of Rp20 million to Rp200 million.
"Shop owners who are proven to be selling liquor with fake excise stamps for the first time will be fined around IDR 20 million, and if they do it again it will be IDR 40 million and so on," Andi explained.
Meanwhile, Head of Public Order and Security (Kabid Trantibum) of Malang City Satpol PP, Rahmat Hidayat said that officers also confiscated hundreds of bottles of liquor because the shop owner also did not have a permit to sell liquor. "They will be charged with a minor crime (tipiring) in the form of a maximum imprisonment of three months and/or a maximum fine of Rp50 million," he explained.
This liquor distribution operation, said Rahmat, was held based on public complaints, officer findings from consumers and approaching the month of Ramadan. By intensifying operations like this, it is hoped that it can provide peace and solemnity for Muslims who will carry out the fasting.
"In addition, it is also to suppress the circulation of liquor which will have an impact on the moral damage of the younger generation and trigger disruption of the general conduciveness of society. During the month of Ramadan, we will hold similar operations routinely," he concluded. (say/ram)
