U.S. Customs seized what officials called the largest shipment of counterfeit electric guitars to ever come through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
“Over 3,000 counterfeit electric guitars of the legendary brand Gibson [would be] worth $18 million if they were, in fact, legitimate,” Africa Bell, the port director of the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport said during a press conference. “These guitars you see on display around me and behind me may look real to you, but trust and believe they are not.”
Bell called the guitars “part of a massive attempt to con the American consumer.”
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KNX News’ Pete Demetriou reported that the guitars looked like classic Gibson SG’s or Les Paul’s.
Officials declined to offer details on arrests because the investigation is ongoing.
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