Bolgatanga, Feb.18, GNA- Personnel of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service {CEPS) in the Upper East Region, have intensified their patrols to check the smuggling of petroleum and other products to neighbouring countries.

CEPS Regional Commander, Mr Anthony Sewor, who was addressing a press conference in Bolgatanga on Thursday said on January 12, this year personnel of the Service discovered two and half drums of fuel concealed in a Burkina Faso bound vehicle.

He said one Abuba Issaka from Walewale in the Northern Region was also arrested on February 13 trying to smuggle dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp to Burkina Faso.

Mr Sewor said Issaka who resisted arrest and attempted to stab a CEPS official was overpowered.

The accused has since been sentenced to seven years imprisonment by a court in Bolgatanga.

Mr Sewor also spoke about the high rate of smuggling of timber boards across the border.