BEIJING, Dec. 25 -- Chinese customs have dealt with 18,556 smuggling cases from Jan. to Nov. this year, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Thursday.

Among the cases, 2,158 cases have been filed for criminal investigation and 4,289 suspects have been placed under coercive measures, the data showed.

The GAC stressed harsh checks and punishment on drugs, arms, overseas waste and endangered animals and plants.

Some 1,191 smuggling cases involved tax evasion valuing 12.27 billion yuan (2.01 billion U.S. dollars), up 23.9 percent and 54.4 percent year on year, respectively.

Meanwhile, smuggling of agricultural products have been tackled strictly. 594 such cases with tax evasion of 7.95 billion yuan were investigated, involving 3 million tonnes of grain products, 122,000 tonnes of frozen meat and 150,000 tonnes of cotton, according to the GAC.

Zhang Guangzhi, the spokesman with GAC, said that the administration will continue tackling smuggling cases and enhance the market supervision in border areas.