CISF personnel selected two foreign passengers for random checking of their baggage on October 8 at about 7 am, on profiling basis, at departure Gate-06 of Terminal-2, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai. During X-BIS screening of their baggage, some doubtful images were observed by the CISF screener. On physical checking of their baggage, 25 kg sandalwood chips in plastic packets were detected. During the enquiry, the passengers produced the bills but did not have any valid permission for carrying the sandalwood.

The passengers were later identified as Mr Abdelrahim Mirgani and Ms Amma Rudan Habiballa, (both Sudanese National) who were supposed to fly to Addis Ababa by Ethiopian Airways at 11: 05 am.