Fake 3,000 Gibson guitars worth $18M seized at LA/Long Beach Seaport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its partners have seized more than $18m in fake Gibson guitars in largest counterfeit musical instrument seizure on record.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and Import Specialists assigned to the LA/Long Beach Seaport, in conjunction with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Investigators, and Gibson representatives, announced Tuesday the seizure of over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), had they been genuine, of $18,742,820 (USD).

CBP officers intercepted the suspected cargo arriving in ocean containers from Asia in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations special agents and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Investigators.

According to CBP, Gibson confirmed that the guitars intercepted were in fact counterfeit, noting that authentic Gibson guitars are made in the U.S.A. only.

Authorities did not provide further details on the operation-such as how long they had been investigating, when the fake guitars were seized and who was behind the operation. They said the investigation remained ongoing.

“Counterfeit goods fund criminal enterprises that engage in forced labor, smuggling, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities”, said Africa R. Bell, CBP port director of the LA/Long Beach seaport. “Counterfeiters are only interested in making a profit-they do not care about you or your family’s well-being or the well-being of our economy.”

Counterfeit goods also threaten the health and safety of shoppers as they are often made of inferior materials, manufactured under uncontrolled and unsanitary conditions, and labeled with false information.

Cheryl M. Davies, CBP director of field operations in Los Angeles, said: “These fraudulent guitars may look and feel legitimate for unsuspecting consumers buying them from third party online sources, street markets, unauthorized retailers, and person-to-person transactions.

“As we approach the busy Holiday shopping season, consumers should pay attention on where they are buying these goods and how much they are paying, and if is too good to be true it probably is.”