A record 27 postal packages with live ants and cockroaches have been seized in the state since April, Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said.

Around 500 native ants, including queens, and nine native giant burrowing cockroaches were detected by Australia Post and Australian Border Force in the past four months.

The insects were discovered through X-ray screening and inspections of suspicious-looking parcels.

The packages, bound for Hong Kong, Canada and France and were concealed inside household items including children’s toys, cushions, Tic Tacs and even an Air Fryer.

The black market trade for Australian native invertebrates is “lucrative”, authorities said.

A single native queen ant can be sold online for $300.

However ant exports can be done lawfully through applying for a NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) wildlife harvest and commercial export permit.

“It’s concerning that we’ve seen a sharp increase in native insects being dug up from their natural habitats and smuggled overseas illegally,” Watt said.

“Ants and cockroaches are nature’s recyclers and play a pivotal role in our ecosystem. Their illegal export threatens Australia’s biodiversity and unique places such as our beloved national parks.

“Through the work of our expanded Environmental Crime team and our collaboration with the Australian Border Force and Australia Post we are increasingly catching and prosecuting these wildlife criminals.”

Illegal exports of regulated native species can carry fines up to $330,000 and up to 10 years in person.

The ABF said it is working hard to stamp out the illegal wildlife trade in Australia.

“Through the combination of targeting, intelligence, and specialised examination capabilities, we’re disrupting the cruel agenda of wildlife traffickers and their mules before they ever leave our shores,” ABF Acting Superintendent Shaun Baker said.

“We’re working with partner agencies to monitor those attempting to facilitate illegal trade overseas, reinforce the strength of our border controls, and stop smugglers in their tracks.”