<p>Hong Kong International Airport became the stage for a startling drug discovery when customs officials unearthed approximately 11 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine hidden within the cushions of an electric wheelchair. Valued at around $1.5 million, the illegal&nbsp;stash was found&nbsp;during customs clearance.</p>

<p>The suspect had brought the electric wheelchair into the country as part of his checked baggage, along with another piece of luggage. Customs officials became suspicious during their examination, prompting a closer inspection of the wheelchair. Upon inspection, they discovered evidence that suggested the seat cushion and backrest had been re-stitched.</p>

<p>The 51-year-old, who is not a resident of Hong Kong and has mobility issues, informed officials that he was the director of a car rental company. He claimed that the wheelchair had been loaned to him by a friend. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinas-evergrande-resumes-hong-kong-trading-641994">Also read |&nbsp;China's Evergrande resumes Hong Kong trading</a></p>

<p>In response to this discovery, customs officials have said they would&nbsp;intensify checks on visitors arriving from "high-risk regions" to combat transnational drug trafficking activities, reported the BBC.</p>

<p>In 2022, customs checks detected 931 cases related to dangerous drugs, up from&nbsp;the previous year's 906 cases. Furthermore, 178 individuals were arrested for offences related to these drug cases in the previous year.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;India's drug regulators crackdown on $42 billion drug industry</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-drug-regulators-crackdown-on-42-billion-drug-industry-642835/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>Not the first incident involving a wheelchair</strong></h2>

<p>This incident is not an isolated case of drugs being hidden in a wheelchair at an airport.</p>

<p>In November, officials at a New York airport seized $450,000 worth of cocaine hidden&nbsp;within the wheels of a woman's wheelchair.</p>

<p>Similarly, in September 2022, nearly $1.6 million worth of cocaine was found concealed within the upholstery of a motorised wheelchair in the Italian city of Milan.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></p>


Hong Kong International Airport became the stage for a startling drug discovery when customs officials unearthed approximately 11 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine hidden within the cushions of an electric wheelchair.

Hong Kong International Airport became the stage for a startling drug discovery when customs officials unearthed approximately 11 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine hidden within the cushions of an electric wheelchair. Valued at around $1.5 million, the illegal stash was found during customs clearance. The suspect had brought the electric wheelchair into the country as part of his checked baggage, along with another piece of luggage. Customs officials became suspicious during their examination, prompting a closer inspection of the wheelchair. Upon inspection, they discovered evidence that suggested the seat cushion and backrest had been re-stitched. The 51-year-old, who is not a resident of Hong Kong and has mobility issues, informed officials that he was the director of a car rental company. He claimed that the wheelchair had been loaned to him by a friend. An investigation into the incident is currently underway. Also read | China's Evergrande resumes Hong Kong trading In response to this discovery, customs officials have said they would intensify checks on visitors arriving from "high-risk regions" to combat transnational drug trafficking activities, reported the BBC. In 2022, customs checks detected 931 cases related to dangerous drugs, up from the previous year's 906 cases. Furthermore, 178 individuals were arrested for offences related to these drug cases in the previous year. Watch | India's drug regulators crackdown on $42 billion drug industry Not the first incident involving a wheelchair This incident is not an isolated case of drugs being hidden in a wheelchair at an airport. In November, officials at a New York airport seized $450,000 worth of cocaine hidden within the wheels of a woman's wheelchair. Similarly, in September 2022, nearly $1.6 million worth of cocaine was found concealed within the upholstery of a motorised wheelchair in the Italian city of Milan. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Over 11kg suspected cocaine found in motorised wheelchair at Hong Kong airport

<p>Actor Gulshan Devaiah has been part of some of the most critically acclaimed films in the past. From 'Shaitan' to 'Death In The Gunj' to 'Hunterrr' to 'That Girl In Yellow Boots', Devaiah's filmography boasts of some iconic films. Yet, Devaiah remains a little elusive to the world of Bollywood and continues to do selective work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In his latest release, Vasan Bala's 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota', the actor is seen in a double role- as a one-legged Karate champion Mani and the other as his evil twin Jimmy. While fans are going ga-ga over Jimmy, Devaiah states that playing Mani was more difficult. "Vasan agreed that figuring out Karate Mani was of paramount importance. More important than Jimmy – because he is just the opposite. Both Jimmy and Mani are street dogs. Mani is that dog who stays in the same corner throughout the day while Jimmy is the dog that jumps, barks at everyone to tell them that this is my bloody street. They are the same but not the same through their circumstances," said the actor in a freewheeling chat with WION. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/mard-ko-dard-nahi-hota-review-vasan-bala-gives-a-fun-quirky-tribute-to-action-films-of-the-1980s-204509">Read the film's review here.&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>The actor revealed that he had to train for four months to get Mani's character right. " Its coincidence that I had a surgery around the same time which made me use the right leg less- it was anyway suffering. The hard part was that I had to learn to sort of hop and do everything with my left leg. Kick and land on the same leg. Jump and do fast moves. Although I did have stunt doubles for two major jumps but &nbsp;I did rest of the action sequences on my own."&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="mard" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="18a2aded-2619-4683-bc9d-9efdd9c138c4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202019-03-27T140750.966.jpg" /></p>

<p>Devaiah performance as Bollywood cliche villain Jimmy struck a chord with one and all. The character had the most entertaining lines in the film and Devaiah completely owned the part. Was there any reference point for him? "Jimmy is like a wrestling villain. I have grown up watching a lot of WWE and Jimmy reminded me of Rick Flair. He is campy, over the top but at the same time very amusing and entertaining. The climax of 'Mard...' &nbsp;is like a wrestling match."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Devaiah states that even though the lines seemed natural, they weren't so. " I wouldn’t say a lot was improvised. Some parts were. Like in the climax- I tell Radhika <em>'Tu leti reh'</em> which was a dialogue suggested by Vasan. Then the line that made to the trailer, '<em>Chup baitho, yeh residential area hai'</em> was also Vasan's idea.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tOXC8i6TID8" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' is filmmaker Vasan Bala's first film as a director. The film also launches actor Abhimanyu Dassani opposite Radhika Madan. Bala and Devaiah have collaborated on films before. Back in 2012, the two worked together in 'Peddlers' &nbsp;which never got a commercial release but earned praise at various international film festivals. Would Peddlers have gotten a commercial release had it been made now? " I wouldn't know for sure. A lot has changed. Vasan and I are different individuals now. Besides, 'Peddlers' is a different kind of film while 'Mard' is a fun film. 'Peddlers' doesn’t entertain, or make you laugh. It is a much more thought-provoking film, complex and darker. Perhaps it can get a limited film now," rues the actor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Admitting that he is selective about projects, Devaiah believes in doing only one project at a time so that he can give his best shot. "Ideally I want to do 2 films a year, maybe 3 at the max. I take the third film only if it's worth it. Like I agreed to this film. I would have regretted not doing 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota'. I couldn’t have ever refused it."&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jb0-Mw_V_bA" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The actor, who will next be seen in 'Commando 3' and a web series(details of which he can't divulge right now) believes that there should not be a sequel or a spin-off of 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota'. "I think we should leave a good thing at that. Not in favour of a spin-off. I think its best to leave the audience hanging but quite honestly it's up to Vasan to make a sequel of the film."&nbsp;</p>


Actor Gulshan Devaiah has been part of some of the most critically acclaimed films in the past. From 'Shaitan' to 'Death In The Gunj' to 'Hunterrr' to 'That Girl In Yellow Boots', Devaiah's filmography boasts of some iconic films.

Actor Gulshan Devaiah has been part of some of the most critically acclaimed films in the past. From 'Shaitan' to 'Death In The Gunj' to 'Hunterrr' to 'That Girl In Yellow Boots', Devaiah's filmography boasts of some iconic films. Yet, Devaiah remains a little elusive to the world of Bollywood and continues to do selective work. In his latest release, Vasan Bala's 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota', the actor is seen in a double role- as a one-legged Karate champion Mani and the other as his evil twin Jimmy. While fans are going ga-ga over Jimmy, Devaiah states that playing Mani was more difficult. "Vasan agreed that figuring out Karate Mani was of paramount importance. More important than Jimmy – because he is just the opposite. Both Jimmy and Mani are street dogs. Mani is that dog who stays in the same corner throughout the day while Jimmy is the dog that jumps, barks at everyone to tell them that this is my bloody street. They are the same but not the same through their circumstances," said the actor in a freewheeling chat with WION. Read the film's review here. The actor revealed that he had to train for four months to get Mani's character right. " Its coincidence that I had a surgery around the same time which made me use the right leg less- it was anyway suffering. The hard part was that I had to learn to sort of hop and do everything with my left leg. Kick and land on the same leg. Jump and do fast moves. Although I did have stunt doubles for two major jumps but I did rest of the action sequences on my own." Devaiah performance as Bollywood cliche villain Jimmy struck a chord with one and all. The character had the most entertaining lines in the film and Devaiah completely owned the part. Was there any reference point for him? "Jimmy is like a wrestling villain. I have grown up watching a lot of WWE and Jimmy reminded me of Rick Flair. He is campy, over the top but at the same time very amusing and entertaining. The climax of 'Mard...' is like a wrestling match." Devaiah states that even though the lines seemed natural, they weren't so. " I wouldn’t say a lot was improvised. Some parts were. Like in the climax- I tell Radhika 'Tu leti reh' which was a dialogue suggested by Vasan. Then the line that made to the trailer, 'Chup baitho, yeh residential area hai' was also Vasan's idea. 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' is filmmaker Vasan Bala's first film as a director. The film also launches actor Abhimanyu Dassani opposite Radhika Madan. Bala and Devaiah have collaborated on films before. Back in 2012, the two worked together in 'Peddlers' which never got a commercial release but earned praise at various international film festivals. Would Peddlers have gotten a commercial release had it been made now? " I wouldn't know for sure. A lot has changed. Vasan and I are different individuals now. Besides, 'Peddlers' is a different kind of film while 'Mard' is a fun film. 'Peddlers' doesn’t entertain, or make you laugh. It is a much more thought-provoking film, complex and darker. Perhaps it can get a limited film now," rues the actor. Admitting that he is selective about projects, Devaiah believes in doing only one project at a time so that he can give his best shot. "Ideally I want to do 2 films a year, maybe 3 at the max. I take the third film only if it's worth it. Like I agreed to this film. I would have regretted not doing 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota'. I couldn’t have ever refused it." The actor, who will next be seen in 'Commando 3' and a web series(details of which he can't divulge right now) believes that there should not be a sequel or a spin-off of 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota'. "I think we should leave a good thing at that. Not in favour of a spin-off. I think its best to leave the audience hanging but quite honestly it's up to Vasan to make a sequel of the film."

Would have regretted not doing 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota': Gulshan Devaiah

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