### U.S. Customs Seizes Over 3,000 Fake Gibson Guitars Valued at $18 Million

LOS ANGELES – In a notable bust, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted a shipment consisting of over 3,000 counterfeit Gibson electric guitars at the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport, the agency revealed. The guitars, shipped from Asia, were authenticated as fakes by Gibson, a leading manufacturer in the premium electric guitar market, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

According to the statement released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, if the seized guitars had been authentic, their market value would have reached an estimated $18 million. Gibson, one of the most respected and storied names in the musical instrument industry, confirmed the counterfeit status of the instruments.

Founded in 1894, Gibson has established a reputation for high-quality, handcrafted guitars, with production facilities in Nashville and Bozeman, Montana. The company's instruments have become iconic, with legendary musicians like Chuck Berry, B.B. King, and Eric Clapton famously associated with them.

Cheryl M. Davies, CBP’s director of field operations in Los Angeles, urged consumers to be vigilant, especially during the holiday shopping season. "Unsuspecting buyers could easily mistake these fraudulent guitars for legitimate products when purchasing from third-party online sources, street markets, unauthorized retailers, and through person-to-person transactions," Davies warned. "If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is."

The emotional investment in protecting the brand and its legacy was echoed by Beth Heidt, Gibson's chief marketing officer. "This is personal for us, not only for the protection of our players but for our entire Gibson team, including generations of American families dedicated to crafting these instruments in Nashville and Bozeman," Heidt stated.

Authorities have not disclosed specific details about the timing of the seizure, the country of origin of the counterfeit guitars, or the entities behind their manufacture. The ongoing investigation involves collaboration between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.