Gibson Guitars Raided Over Alleged Use Of Rare Madagascan Timber

Gibson Guitars is under investigation in the US for allegedly using illegal wood to make their instruments.

Federal agents stormed Gibson's headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee on suspicion of the company using threatened Madagascan rosewood smuggled in via Germany.

The search took place under the Lacey Act which seeks to hinder trafficking of illegal wildlife, plants and fish.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service seized a variety of items including wood, computers, files and guitars from Gibson HQ.

A statement from Gibson Guitars reads: "(We are) fully cooperating with agents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as it pertains to an issue with harvested wood".