Smuggler/Legends

"I think it's occasionally good for us to remember that being a smuggler doesn't necessarily require one to be a barbarian, too."

- Talon Karrde to Mara Jade

A smuggler was someone who engaged in the clandestine shipment of goods or persons to prevent taxation or some other impediment. The goods shipped were often highly illegal or banned in some sectors.

Profession


Smuggling, while having been an important part of galactic trade for many years, thrived under the Galactic Empire's strict controls of goods. By 3 ABY, smuggling had become such an entrenched facet of Imperial life that many within the Empire, such as Admiral Kendal Ozzel, had trouble distinguishing smuggling outfits from Rebel outposts, as demonstrated by his assumption that the Rebel base on Hoth was actually a smuggling operation when reports of its location arrived from an Imperial probe droids. The fact that many smugglers operated in support of the Rebellion and channeled funds to them made such distinctions even more difficult.

Smuggled goods
By far the most commonly smuggled substances were varieties of spice. Although most kinds of spice were psychoactive drugs, and most forms were illegal under the Empire, their main concern was collecting the required taxes from its shipment and distribution through legitimate channels. Weapons were another commonly smuggled commodity within the Empire, which wanted to control weapons availability in order to prevent criminals and insurgents, mainly the Rebel Alliance, from being well-armed. Other cargos for smugglers included chak-root, stolen merchandise, and even clear water (smuggled to Rampa II). In extreme situations, smugglers delivered standard resources or food; for example, on Abregado-rae, smugglers supplied Separatists after a new regime stopped all food transports to the Separatists in the mountains in hopes of stamping out opposition. Some smugglers, such as Mirax Terrik, specialized in finding rare and sometimes illegal goods or artifacts and delivering them to their clients who hoped to avoid using "official means."




 * See Category:Minerals.
 * See Category:Plants.
 * See Category:Spice variants.
 * See Category:Blaster weapons.
 * See Category:Blaster pistols.
 * See Category:Personal weapons.
 * See Category:Technology

Stance


There was a common stereotype in the Galaxy that most Corellians were smugglers, and indeed, there were no shortages of Corellian smugglers, but smuggling was carried out by various freight carriers and criminal organizations of all species and planetary origins. Such groups as Black Sun established large networks dedicated to evading Imperial forces within the galaxy. Some were even led by members of the Imperial bureaucracy and military establishment, while others (such as Prince Xizor of Black Sun) were important players in galactic business. Another major player in illegal trade were the Hutt kajidics, vast criminal organizations based around the clan structure of the Hutts. The Hutts controlled a region of the galaxy in the Mid and Outer Rim which maintained independence from the Galactic Republic, and later great autonomy within the Empire; this allowed them to recruit pilots and buy ships for use in smuggling with a minimum of scrutiny, while possessing safe locations for their pilots to use. Some planets were controlled by the Hutts but nominally within the Imperial sphere of influence, such as Tatooine, which provided excellent locations to secretly funnel shipments, pilots, and supplies into Imperial space without arousing suspicion.

Common problems for smugglers


"Well, that's the real trick, isn't it? And it's going to cost you something extra."

- Han Solo to Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker

Smugglers had to worry about attacks from pirates and opportunists who would attempt to steal their cargo, meaning that smugglers needed to avoid some of the most lawless systems to remain safe. Also, because they were smuggling contraband, they had no hope of help from Imperial forces and could not seek the protection of the galactic authorities. Most smugglers developed keen skills to avoid trouble, and they modified their ships not only for better cargo capacity, but also for greater speed and defenses. In order to evade Imperial patrols, smugglers often used smaller and less well-known routes that generally skirted Imperial strong points within the galaxy. There were many of these smuggling routes, and every smuggler usually had his own preferred ways of getting from place to place safely. Nevertheless, many smugglers ended their career on prison worlds such as Kessel or Akrit'tar. Many smugglers were also killed during their runs - some even committed suicide to avoid being arrested and sentenced.

Known smugglers

 * See Category:Smugglers.

Known smuggling ships

 * Bakuran Blade
 * Bespin Bandit
 * Ebon Hawk
 * Distant Rainbow
 * Dusty Duck
 * Hopskip
 * Hyperspace Marauder
 * Inferno
 * Infinity
 * Jade's Fire
 * Kern's Pride
 * Kierra
 * Lambarian Crab
 * Last Chance
 * Mallixer
 * Millennium Falcon
 * Outrider
 * Pulsar Skate
 * Rabbit's Foot
 * Rimrunner
 * Shelltooth
 * Star Lady
 * Starry Ice
 * Starlight Intruder
 * Starwayman
 * Wild Karrde
 * XR808g

Cantinas and pubs

 * Byss Bistro
 * Drunken Drummer
 * LoBue Cantina
 * Meltdown Café
 * Mos Eisley Cantina

Planets and other locations

 * Abregado-rae
 * Carratos
 * Fort Nowhere
 * Gall
 * Myrkr
 * Nar Shaddaa
 * Ord Mantell
 * Smuggler's Run
 * Tatooine
 * Vergesso Asteroids