Key facts
- Australian police seized approximately 100,000 live cockroaches.
- The seized insects included Madagascar hissing and dubia cockroaches.
- These species are illegal to import into Australia.
- The cockroaches were likely intended for sale as pet food.
- This was the country's largest seizure of illegal exotic invertebrates.
Australian police conducted a significant bust, seizing approximately 100,000 live cockroaches in May from a commercial breeder in Bathurst, New South Wales. The intercepted insects included Madagascar hissing cockroaches and dubia cockroaches, species that are illegal to import into Australia. Authorities believe the large quantity of insects was intended for the pet trade, likely to be sold as food for reptiles. This seizure, valued at 200,000 Australian dollars ($142,000), follows a previous confiscation of illegal insects valued at $200,000, highlighting ongoing challenges in controlling the trade of exotic species. Authorities stated it was the country's biggest-ever seizure of illegal exotic invertebrates.