The nation's customs authorities confiscated 1,389 kg of illegal drugs in 516 seizures during 2000, the Finance Ministry said Monday.

This figure represents the second largest amount on record following the 2,186-kg haul seized in 1999.

Drugs seized in 2000 included 870 kg of stimulants, including amphetamines, and 490 kg of marijuana.

In addition, 147,000 tablets were seized, including mood-enhancing ecstasy pills, the ministry said.

Overall, the authorities confiscated drugs with a street value of 56.5 billion yen, according to the ministry.

Some 75 percent of the stimulants was smuggled from China and North Korea, while the marijuana came mainly from Thailand, South Korea and South Africa.

Compared with 1999, when much of the smuggling was done in bulk through fishing vessels and marine containers, the drugs seized in 2000 were taken from smaller units, with smugglers attempting to bring the drugs in by air, the ministry said.

These details were reported at a two-day meeting of customs office chiefs from across the country. The meeting began at the ministry on Monday.

The overall amount of illegal drugs smuggled into the country has not decreased because their street value remains low, indicating there have been ample supplies, a ministry official said.

Another disturbing sign was that an increasing number of drug smugglers are airline passengers, from whom customs seized a record-breaking 414 kg of illegal drugs in 231 seizures, the ministry said.