36 Counterfeit Guitars Seized At Washington Dulles Airport

Herndon VA

08 February, 2021

4:24 PM

Description

DULLES, VA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers last month seized 36 counterfeit guitars, which if they were authentic could have fetched over $158,000, at Washington Dulles International Airport. The guitars, which were headed to addresses in 21 states and Australia, arrived on Dec. 15, in 36 different shipments from China. At the time, customs officials suspected the guitars were counterfeit and seized them in order to continue their investigation. The items seized included 27 Gibson, six Fender, two CF Marti, and one Paul Reed Smith guitars. The most expensive was a Gibson Ace Frehley guitar that was valued at $9,000. Two acoustic guitars were also included in the seizure. "Transnational criminal organizations will counterfeit anything that generates illicit revenues, and unscrupulous vendors line their pockets by preying on unsuspecting consumers," said Keith Fleming, CBP's Acting Director of Field Operations in Baltimore, in a release. "Protecting intellectual property rights is a Customs and Border Protection trade enforcement priority, and CBP officers will continue to seize counterfeit and potentially unsafe consumer goods when we encounter them." No additional guitars have been encountered since these 36 arrived at Washington Dulles Airport. The most expensive was a Gibson Ace Frehley guitar that was valued at $9,000. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)