SHANGHAI, Jan. 27 -- Shanghai Free Trade Zone launched a series of crackdowns on smuggling, seizing illegal goods worth more than four billion yuan (640 million U.S. dollars) in 2014, Shanghai Customs said on Tuesday.

The value of goods seized last year was more than triple that in 2013, according to Shanghai Customs.

The customs authorities invested heavily in technology, using data analysis to tackle smuggling, the customs officers said.

Shanghai Free Trade Zone last year handled more than 762 billion yuan in imports and exports, a rise of 8.3 percent from 2013.

The customs also propped up measures against smuggling of drugs, precious animals and plants, the customs authorities said.