US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has seized over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars in Southern California, with an estimated authentic value exceeding $18 million. This marks the largest counterfeit musical instrument seizure ever made at the busiest container port in North America.
In a press release, CBP stated that their local office, in collaboration with representatives from Gibson Guitar Company and local authorities, uncovered the stash of 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars at the Long Beach Seaport in Los Angeles, California. If these counterfeit products were to be passed off as genuine, their value would amount to $18,742,820.
CBP disclosed that these fake guitars had been shipped from Asia to the US via sea containers. All authentic Gibson guitars are handcrafted in the US, and with over a century of history, Gibson Company has confirmed that the seized guitars were indeed counterfeits.
Considering that the case is still under investigation, federal authorities have stated that they will not reveal any details about the suspects involved, nor disclose the source of these instruments at this time.
Jaime Ruiz, a spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection, mentioned that violations of federal regulations that aim to protect American consumers from counterfeit products could result in hefty fines of up to $250,000 and up to 10 years of imprisonment.
Cheryl M. Davies, the on-site director of operations for Customs and Border Protection in Los Angeles, emphasized in the press release, “As the busy holiday shopping season approaches, consumers should pay attention to where they are purchasing these goods and how much they are paying. If a deal seems too good to be true, it is likely (a fake).”