More than 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars — which would have been valued at about $18 million if they were authentic — were seized from the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport as part of an multi-agency investigation.
The slew of fake electric guitars, in various shapes, colors, and sizes, were placed on display inside a Carson warehouse Tuesday during a press conference hosted by officials with the U.S Customs and Border Protection. The fakes featured a mix of guitar styles and other sister brands, including Gibson SG’s, Les Paul and Gretsch Guitars. The average retail cost for one of these authentic guitars would vary between $2,500 to $10,000, Gibson Chief Marketing Officer Elizabeth Heidt said.
The bust marked the largest seizure of fake musical instruments from the Port of Los Angeles and overall counterfeit Gibson guitars on record, Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport Director Africa Bell said.
Fake guitars during a press conference in Carson, CA, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Gibson announced the largest seizure of fake guitars on record. The multi-agency operation led to the interception of over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars worth over $18 million if they were genuine. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Andrea Bates, attorney for Gibson, left, and Elizabeth “Beth” Heidt, Chief Marketing Officer, Gibson Inc., answer questions during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press conference in Carson, CA, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. The CBP, along with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Gibson announced the largest seizure of fake guitars on record. The multi-agency operation led to the interception of over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars worth over $18 million if they were genuine. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A fake Slash signature on a counterfeit Gibson guitar during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press conference in Carson, CA, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. The CBP, along with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Gibson announced the largest seizure of fake guitars on record. The multi-agency operation led to the interception of over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars worth over $18 million if they were genuine. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jaime Ruiz, spokesman for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shows off fake guitars during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press conference in Carson, CA, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. The CBP, along with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Gibson announced the largest seizure of fake guitars on record. The multi-agency operation led to the interception of over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars worth over $18 million if they were genuine. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Fake guitars during a press conference in Carson, CA, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles County
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
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