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 have conducted a significant bust, seizing approximately 100,000 live cockroaches. The intercepted insects included both 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 follows a previous confiscation of illegal insects valued at $200,000, highlighting ongoing challenges in controlling the trade of exotic species. The haul of live insects included dubia cockroaches and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Authorities said it was the country's biggest-ever seizure of illegal exotic invertebrates.