GLASGOW music fans heading to T in the Park will be stopped and searched in a bid to recover a batch of deadly fake ecstasy tablets.

Teams of officers will today carry out "intelligence-led" searches at Buchanan Bus Station as thousands of music fans begin the annual mass exodus from the city to the festival.

It comes after a spate of deaths from the green tablets, which have a distinctive Rolex crown stamped on them.

Around a dozen officers – and a police sniffer dog – will carry out searches at the city bus station over the weekend.

The operation, which started yesterday, is aimed at preventing the potentially-fatal "Green Rolex" pills being circulated at the festival.

Chief Inspector Alan Porte, area commander for Glasgow City Centre, said: "I want to make sure that anyone travelling from Glasgow to T in the Park has a great time at the event, does not take any dangerous drugs, and gets home again safely.

"Our main focus here is keeping people safe."

More than 85,000 revellers heading for T in the Park, in Kinross, have been warned about the fake pills.

As previously reported by the Evening Times, an 18-year-old woman died in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, on Tuesday, after taking the pills.

Three of her friends – aged 18, 21 and 25 – were also taken to hospital, after taking pills matching the description.

Six other fatalities have been recorded during the past two months, in Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire, which have all been linked to the 'Rolex' pills.

It is understood that rather MDMA, the pills contain a dangerous stimulant paramethoxyamphetamine, known as PMA.

It causes users to suffer extremely high temperatures, hallucinations and convulsions.

Police are also warning of a white pill with the Mitsubishi logo imprinted on them, and a yellow tablet with a star logo.

Revellers attending the festival, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, have been advised that they can dispose of drugs in 'amnesty bins' without fear of prosecution.

Doctors say anyone experiencing unusual symptoms should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Thousands of music fans have already pitched their tents at the Balado site in anticipation of the weekend's three-day music extravaganza, which opens tonight.

From rapper Snoop Dogg to girl band Little Mix and old faithfuls The Proclaimers, the bill offers something for everyone.

And weather forecasters promise this week's good weather is set to last into the weekend.

This year's headliners include pop folkies Mumford & Sons, R&B diva Rihanna and German electro pioneers Kraftwerk.

Other acts on the bill include Rita Ora, Paloma Faith, The View and former Smiths man Johnny Marr.

And Glasgow is well represented, with Emile Sande, Twin Atlantic, The Fratellis, Chvrches and Deacon Blue joining the party.

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk