Australia Seizes 100,000 Banned Cockroaches Worth $200,000

Australian authorities have seized more than 100,000 live cockroaches of species prohibited from being kept in the country, the Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water Ministry said. The insects were found at a breeder's address in New South Wales state and have an estimated market value of about 200,000 Australian dollars. The confiscated species included the Dubia cockroach and the Madagascar hissing cockroach. Both species are illegal to import, breed, or sell in Australia. Officials warned that if released into the wild, the insects could pose risks to local wildlife and agriculture. The ministry has informed pet store operators and reptile breeders that possessing or trading these species may result in penalties.