Thousands of fake Gibson guitars seized by Customs Enforcement

Thousands of knockoff Gibson electric guitars have been seized by U.S. feds in what is believed to be a multi-million-dollar counterfeit operation.

U.S. Customs agents at the Port of Los Angeles intercepted more than 3,000 fake Gibsons worth over $18 million had they been genuine.

Federal officials say it’s the largest seizure of counterfeit products from the iconic music brand and possibly the biggest crackdown on fake musical instruments in history.

Customs officials said the seizure is an important reminder for consumers about the risks of buying fraudulent products online or from questionable sources in which authenticity cannot be verified.

The multi-agency operation was conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, as well as with assistance from Gibson itself.

On Tuesday, KTLA was given access to see the massive cache of knockoff guitars.

“This is really emotional and personal for us,” said Beth Heidt, Gibson’s chief marketing officer. “Our teams have generations who have dedicated their entire lives to making these instruments, who have been there from grandparents and brothers and sisters and husbands and wives and passed down this incredible craftsmanship and knowledge to create instruments that are unparalleled.”

Heidt added that the seizure of these counterfeit products not only protect consumers, but the legacy of the company’s craftsmen and luthiers.