Goods and drugs that were illegally imported online rose by more than one-quarter from last year to reach 541.1 billion won ($486 million) during the first eight months of this year, the Korea Customs Service announced on Tuesday.

The state-run customs agency said there were 22 more cases than in the same period last year, while the sales volume climbed by 125.4 billion won.

“These illegal goods usually enter the country through express mail services or courier services that are registered as less than $100,” a KCS official said. “Cyber-smuggling is thus getting subtler, making it harder for us to monitor.”

The volume of smuggled drugs, in particular, tripled on-year, indicating that online smuggling is turning into a major social problem.

“We have seen an increasing number of cyber-smuggling cases where drugs are either dissolved in water or hidden in strong-scented soap and toothpaste,” the customs office said.

In terms of products, home electronic appliances, luxury bags and watches were the top three most smuggled items online.

Watches were at the top of the list of smuggled items, with the volume soaring by eight times to 221 billion won.

Online orders for smuggled cosmetics increased by 244 percent, while that for toys and office supplies rose by 120 percent. Orders for smuggled jewelry, liquor and deer antlers for medical use increased by 99 percent, respectively.

The customs office said that smuggling of intellectual properties such as imitations of luxury brand bags and watches increased by about 51 percent, and customs regulations, trade laws and foreign currency policies were also among the top three popular forms of violations.

To boost its offense against cyber smuggling, the KCS said it has established centers for high-tech scientific investigation to monitor and spot cyber-smuggling, or illegal deals for smuggled goods arranged online. These centers also run cyber-rangers program composed of online surfers, students and housewives, the KCS said.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)