Security forces, park wardens from the Institute of Archaeology and Chiquibul National Park Rangers detained the pair. This came after weeks of hearing the sound of chainsaws around the vicinity of the Caracol - which is five miles inside Belize. The operation was conducted at night when several chainsaws were rattling away - by the time the security team arrived on location under the shadow of darkness, two men were apprehended and one escaped. They had a 33 inch Stihl chainsaw, measuring tape and machine oil. They gave their names as 19 year old Cruz Milian and 26 year old Miguel Angel Sandoval from the village of La Rejoya, Peten, Guatemala.

Both were taken to the San Ignacio police station where they are expected to be charged for illegal entry, illegal logging and resisting arrest.