KPK Arrests 17 in Customs & Excise Corruption Sting Operation 2026

KPK Conducts Sweeping Raids on Customs and Tax Officials in Indonesia

JAKARTA – The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) carried out a series of sting operations on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, targeting officials within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) and the tax office in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. The operations, the fifth such action by the KPK this year, have resulted in the arrest of 17 individuals.

According to KPK Deputy Chair Fitroh Rohcahyanto, the raids included a sting operation at the central office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise in Jakarta. Rohcahyanto confirmed the operation when contacted by Tempo on Wednesday, but declined to provide further details about the specifics of the case.

The KPK revealed that twelve of those arrested are employees of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, while the remaining five are associated with PT BR, identified as Blueray Cargo. PT BR reportedly handles import of goods from countries including China and Thailand.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the agency has been intensively investigating those detained and has already determined the legal status of the parties involved through a case title forum. A press conference detailing the full construction of the case, chronology and the identities of those designated as suspects is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2026.

The Jakarta raid included the seizure of evidence, including cash in various denominations of Rupiah and foreign currencies, as well as three kilograms of precious metals. Rizal, recently inaugurated as the Head of the West Sumatra DJBC Regional Office on October 28, 2025, and formerly the Director of Investigation and Enforcement of the DJBC Ministry of Finance, was among those secured during the operations.

A separate operation in Lampung led to the arrest of a former Director of Investigation and Enforcement at the DJBC. Prasetyo indicated that the Jakarta and Lampung operations were focused on import-related corruption involving both state officials and private sector actors.

The KPK’s investigation in Banjarmasin centers on alleged bribery related to tax refund processes in the plantation sector.

These operations signal a renewed effort to combat corruption within key government institutions responsible for revenue collection. Prasetyo noted the operations serve as “an alarm for integrity at the heart of state revenue,” according to reporting from Kompas.com.

The KPK has secured and is examining several parties and evidence related to import manipulation. The agency suspects illicit activity involving import procedures conducted by individuals within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise in conjunction with private entities.