Mangaluru: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Southern Railway, Palakkad Division, seized 201 used mobile phones valued at approximately Rs 10 lakh during a special drive against the illegal transportation of cash, gold, and other valuables through trains. The drive is part of intensified surveillance during the 2026 Kerala assembly elections.The seizure took place in Train No. 19578 Jamnagar – Tirunelveli Junction Express, during a check conducted around 3am at Platform No. 3 of Mangaluru Junction Railway Station on Monday. While inspecting the general coach of the train, RPF head constable Sujeesh and constable Ramakrishna noticed three unattended bags placed on the upper luggage rack. On suspicion, the bags were examined and were found to contain 201 used mobile phones of various brands. Further examination of the body-worn camera footage of the on-duty staff revealed the presence of two suspected persons in the coach around the time the bags were detected. Efforts are underway in coordination with the Crime Intelligence Branch and the divisional Crime Prevention and Detection Squad to identify and trace the suspects. The matter was also shared with the govt Railway Police for further investigation and for appropriate legal action regarding the seized items. Railway authorities stated that special monitoring and enforcement drives will continue across railway stations and trains to prevent illegal transportation of valuables and other prohibited items during the election period, ensuring the safety and integrity of the railway network.
