BUTTERWORTH, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- The seizure of contraband goods has increased by 17 per cent to RM392 million in the first eight months of this year compared to the corresponding period last year.

Customs director-general Datuk Khazali Ahmad said they entailed 4,117 cases with unpaid duties amounting to RM263 million, an increase of three per cent compared to the corresponding period last year.

He said most of the goods confiscated were cigarettes, drugs, textiles, vehicles and alcoholic drinks, which were categorized as critical items due to high unpaid duties, import permit defiance and high demand.

"Until Aug 31, the value of cigarettes seized dropped by 40 per cent to RM27 million compared to RM45 million in the corresponding period last year," he told reporters after the launch of the coordinated Malaysian-Indonesian sea patrol here today.

However, he said the number of seizure increased by 26 per cent to 1,868 compared to 1,487 in the corresponding period last year owing to integrated operations with other agencies.