Strengthening Customs Investigation Mechanisms Against Agricultural Smuggling: A Case Study of Red Onion Trafficking in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53905/Veritas.v1i01.6Keywords:
customs enforcement, agricultural smuggling, ppns investigators, red onion trafficking, indonesia; border security, bea cukaiAbstract
Purpose of the study: Red onion (Allium cepa L.) smuggling from Malaysia into Indonesia through the Bengkalis border region in Riau Province represents a persistent challenge to national customs enforcement and agricultural market stability. The illicit trade undermines state revenue, distorts domestic commodity prices, and compromises the livelihoods of local farmers. This study examines the operational role of Civil Servant Investigators (Penyidik Pegawai Negeri Sipil/PPNS) under the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Direktorat Jenderal Bea dan Cukai) in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting red onion smuggling cases in Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia.
Methodology: : A qualitative case study approach was adopted employing observational research with structured field surveys and semi-structured interviews conducted at the Customs and Excise Supervisory and Service Office Type Madya Pabean C Bengkalis.
Results: Findings reveal that PPNS Customs investigators perform a complementary law enforcement function alongside the National Police; however, their effectiveness is constrained by an extensive and difficult-to-monitor maritime border, an insufficient number of qualified investigators (minimum Grade II/a requirement), frequent personnel transfers (mutasi), and budgetary limitations.
Conclusions: Strengthening customs investigation mechanisms requires institutional reform encompassing dedicated investigator career pathways, inter-agency coordination protocols, technology-assisted border surveillance, and legislative amendments to address jurisdictional gaps in agricultural commodity smuggling.
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