The Customs & Excise Department has arrested 12 people, aged 28 to 58, including 11 company directors, in a pirated software crackdown in the last two months.

Customs officers searched the offices of seven companies and seized 35 computers loaded with pirated software, including operating systems, office applications, and design software, worth $130,000.

The companies were engaged in the design, publication, and advertising business.

The department said as there is an increasing trend in the use of pirated software, it will monitor the situation and boost enforcement action.

People can report infringing activities on 2545 6182.