Eight shipments of stolen vehicles were intercepted by the Canada Border Services Agency at the Port of Halifax in April — more than officers would normally see in a typical month, according to officials.

The total value of the 19 stolen vehicles that were seized was an estimated $650,000, the federal agency said Monday as it announced the seizures.

"That's a little bit higher than we normally see," said Calvin Christiansen, regional director general for the CBSA Atlantic region, adding that the agency usually find between five and 10 stolen cars a month.

"There has been a little bit of an increase lately for sure in what we've been picking up here at the Port of Halifax."

CBSA officers searched containers

CBSA officers searched three containers on April 11 that were destined for export. Four stolen vehicles were found, according to the agency.

Then on April 20, two more export containers were searched and CBSA officers found four stolen vehicles. The following day, a search of an additional container revealed six more stolen cars.

Five more stolen vehicles were found when two other shipments were searched on April 27.​

Canada Border Services Agency officers intercepted eight shipments of stolen vehicles in April, worth an estimated $650,000. (Canada Border Services Agency)

Christiansen said CBSA tries to identify containers that could potentially have stolen goods inside of them.

Once the vehicles have been seized, Christiansen said they are then passed on to Halifax Regional Police for investigation.

"In many cases, these vehicles are returned afterwards to their rightful owner and the vehicles tend to come to this area from either Toronto ... or from Montreal," he said.

"There are very few that we find stolen that have come from Atlantic Canada."

From Jan. 1 to April 30, the CBSA has intercepted 39 vehicles, a total value of approximately $1.5 million.