Gibson Guitar Raided

The Gibson Guitar Corporation in Nashville was raided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection but the motivation was unclear at press time.

Nicholas Chavez, special agent in charge with Fish and Wildlife, told the Tennessean corporate headquarters on Park Plus Boulevard and a factory on Elm Hill Pike were raided. Meanwhile, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported tourists arriving to a Gibson Guitar factory in Memphis found the doors locked with agents inside.

No arrests had been made, and Chavez told the Tennessean the raid stems from a Texas case but declined to offer further details.

Gibson was raided in 2009 for possible violations of the Lacey Act, which bans the importation of endangered plants and wildlife. The Feds seized ebony and other woods that were prohibited. Gibson said at the time it was fully cooperating with the operation.