Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Police have intensified checks at Walayar to prevent people from carrying Kerala lottery tickets into the state. Inspections are being carried out at the border police outpost, with vehicles entering and leaving Tamil Nadu being thoroughly checked.

Lottery shops in Walayar often attract customers from Tamil Nadu. People from various parts of Coimbatore, as well as Tiruppur, Erode and Salem districts, have been travelling to Walayar to buy lottery tickets for years. Some also purchase tickets in bulk for resale.

Possessing lottery tickets is illegal in Tamil Nadu, where lotteries are banned. Those caught with tickets may face fines and imprisonment. However, there have been instances of people from Tamil Nadu winning bumper prizes in Kerala lotteries.

Although police have taken action against the illegal possession of lottery tickets in the past, checks on buses and other vehicles at Walayar have reportedly intensified since the new government came to power. Police are now inspecting all vehicles at the Walayar outpost.

Vehicles travelling towards Walayar are also being checked for the illegal transportation of electronic goods and other items into Kerala.

Those found carrying Kerala lottery tickets may face an immediate fine. Police are also registering cases against those carrying large quantities of tickets. On Thursday, four people were reportedly caught carrying lottery tickets on a Tamil Nadu bus travelling to Coimbatore.