Thiruvananthapuram | Police and the Prison Departments have jointly carried out searches at central jails across Kerala as part of the anti-narcotics drive, Toofan, officials said on Friday.

According to police, the simultaneous searches began on Thursday night and continued till Friday morning.

The searches were conducted at Poojappura Central Jail in Thiruvananthapuram, Viyyur Central Jail in Thrissur, Tavanur Central Jail in Malappuram and Kannur Central Jail.

Police said ganja was seized from an inmate lodged in Poojappura Central Jail.

The operation was carried out under the anti-narcotics campaign "Operation Toofan".

Officials said the searches were launched following specific information that drugs and other narcotic substances were being smuggled into prisons.

Police said similar surprise inspections would be conducted at other district and sub-jails across the state in the coming days.