BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Customs in the eastern city of Suzhou has busted a sugar-smuggling case, confiscating over 500 tonnes of sugar and arresting seven suspects, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC).

The officials also seized one ship and a large number of physical evidence. The case is currently under investigation.

Suzhou customs officials have stepped up their efforts to crack down on smuggling of petroleum products and sugar in recent years.

They have busted six sugar-smuggling cases since the start of 2018, seizing 2,758 tonnes of sugar worth 65.35 million yuan (about 9.6 million U.S. dollars).