The number of synthetic narcotic tablets confiscated at customs in Japan in 2007 soared to an all-time high of 1.33 million tablets, up from 142,000 the previous year, the Finance Ministry said Friday.

Synthetic narcotic tablets, such as MDMA, are attracting an increasing number of young people who use them "as a fad," a ministry official said.

The smuggling of MDMA, also known as Ecstasy, and other synthetic narcotics from Canada increased sharply, according to the ministry.

The amount of stimulants and other illegal drugs seized last year doubled to 811 kg, the ministry said. The number of confiscations almost leveled off at 359 cases.