Record-breaking cockroach bust: NSW seizes 100,000 illegal exotic insects

More than 100,000 live exotic cockroaches, valued at up to $200,000, have been seized from a commercial breeder in Bathurst, New South Wales, in what biosecurity officials describe as a record-breaking bust linked to the illegal pet trade.

The haul, discovered this week by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services inspectors, includes species such as Madagascar hissing cockroaches and dubia cockroaches, both of which are prohibited from import into Australia under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Authorities suspect the insects were being bred for sale as reptile feed or exotic pets, a rapidly growing niche market that has prompted tighter scrutiny of invertebrate imports.

“This is the largest seizure of live exotic cockroaches in Australian history,” a spokesperson for the NSW Department of Primary Industries confirmed. “The animals were being kept in unsanitary conditions and posed a significant biosecurity risk if they had entered the environment.”

The breeder, whose identity has not been disclosed, faces potential prosecution under the *Biosecurity Regulation 2017*, which carries penalties of up to $1.1 million for corporations and $220,000 for individuals, along with possible imprisonment. Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the breeding stock and whether the operation supplied other states or overseas markets.

Exotic pet trade experts warn that the demand for live feeder insects has surged alongside the popularity of reptiles such as bearded dragons and leopard geckos. “Breeders often source species from overseas without proper permits, bypassing Australia’s strict biosecurity controls,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a wildlife biosecurity researcher at the University of Sydney. “These insects can carry diseases or establish invasive populations if released.”

Australia’s biosecurity framework has tightened in recent years following high-profile incursions, including the 2025 detection of the brown marmorated stink bug in Melbourne. The federal government has allocated an additional $50 million to strengthen border inspections, with a focus on high-risk live animal consignments.

The Bathurst seizure follows a similar operation in March 2026, when Victorian authorities intercepted 45,000 illegal tarantulas destined for the pet trade. While no public health risks have been identified in the cockroach case, experts caution that some species can trigger allergic reactions or spread pathogens in domestic settings.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has urged the public to report suspicious breeding activities through its *Report a Pest* hotline. “Unauthorised breeding of prohibited species undermines Australia’s biosecurity and threatens native ecosystems,” the spokesperson said. “We will continue to take decisive action against illegal operations.”