The police on Sunday carried out surprise checks in three bus stands at Gandhipuram in Coimbatore in a move to check the circulation of narcotic substances and banned tobacco products.

Personnel from the Kattur station, assisted by the dog squad of the city police, conducted checks at Town Bus Stand, Thiruvalluvar Bus Stand and Central Bus Stand.

The special drive was conducted on instructions from City Police Commissioner A. Saravana Sundar, based on specific information on local movement of narcotic substances and prohibited tobacco products.

A total of 25 police personnel led by inspector Saravanan J. searched shops at the bus stands. A sniffer dog that is trained to detect narcotic substances was pressed into service.

The police personnel carried out searches inside buses, and bags of commuters were checked with the support of the dog squad. Bags of passengers, who were waiting at the bus stands, were also checked.

The police had specific information that contraband substances smuggled into the city by migrant workers through trains were being carried to different areas in the district through the public transport system. The searches at the three bus stands were to curb the circulation of contraband substances, said Mr. Saravanan.