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Australia Seizes Largest 100,000 Illegal Cockroaches, Worth $140K

6/7/2026

31 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Wildlife officers seized more than 100,000 illegal Madagascar hissing and dubia cockroaches from a Bathurst breeder, marking Australia’s largest illegal exotic insect bust.
Authorities will euthanize the insects, valuing the haul at about AU$200,000 (US$140,000) on the black market.
The department warned pet owners to use legal feeder insects such as crickets or wood roaches or face federal penalties.

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Story summary

Wildlife officers seized more than 100,000 illegal Madagascar hissing and dubia cockroaches from a Bathurst breeder, marking Australia’s largest illegal exotic insect bust.
Authorities will euthanize the insects, valuing the haul at about AU$200,000 (US$140,000) on the black market.
The department warned pet owners to use legal feeder insects such as crickets or wood roaches or face federal penalties.