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 a part of galactic trade for many years in the Old Republic, absolutely thrived under the Galactic Empire's strict control of goods. The nationalizing of former Separatist companies' assets, including their vast merchant fleets, greatly increased smuggling's appeal—and demand. By 3 ABY, smuggling had become so common that Imperial officers often looked the other way if they found a smuggling outfit. For example, Admiral Kendal Ozzel, dismissed the Rebel outpost Echo Base on Hoth as a smuggling operation when reports of its location arrived from an Arakyd Viper probe droid. 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, the government's main concern was not to stem the flow of spice, but to collect taxes from its shipment and distribution through legitimate channels. Weapons were another commonly smuggled commodity within the Empire, whose bureaucracy strictly controlled weapons availability in order to prevent criminals and insurgents, in particular the Rebel Alliance, from becoming significant threats. Other cargo 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 Minerals.
 * See Plants.
 * See Spice variants.
 * See Blaster weapons.
 * See Blaster pistols.
 * See Personal weapons.
 * See Technology

Stance
A common stereotype in the galaxy was that smugglers were usually Corellian, 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. Even members of the Imperial bureaucracy and military establishment had their own smuggling organizations, while other smugglers (such as Prince Xizor of Black Sun) were important players in legitimate galactic business. Such groups as Black Sun established large networks dedicated to evading Imperial forces within the galaxy. Another set of major players 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 skirted Imperial strong points within the galaxy. There were many of these smuggling routes, and every smuggler usually had his or her preferred ways of getting from place to place safely. Despite their precautions, 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.

Famous smugglers

 * BoShek
 * Lando Calrissian
 * Jorj Car'das
 * Chewbacca
 * Vilmarh Grahrk
 * Mara Jade
 * Talon Karrde
 * Ephant Mon
 * Platt Okeefe
 * Dash Rendar
 * Han Solo
 * Cade Skywalker
 * Booster Terrik
 * Mirax Terrik
 * See also: List of smugglers.

Known smuggling ships

 * Bakuran Blade
 * Beggar's Solace
 * Bespin Bandit
 * Breathe My Jets
 * Ebon Hawk
 * Distant Rainbow
 * Dusty Duck
 * Green Palace
 * Grinning Liar
 * Hopskip
 * Hyperspace Marauder
 * Inferno
 * Infinity
 * Jade's Fire
 * Kern's Pride
 * Kierra
 * Lambarian Crab
 * Last Chance
 * Luudrian Star
 * Mallixer
 * Millennium Falcon
 * Outrider
 * Pulsar Skate
 * Rabbit's Foot
 * Rimrunner
 * Shelltooth
 * Spicy Lady
 * Star Lady
 * Starry Ice
 * Starduster
 * Starlight Intruder
 * Starwayman
 * Wild Karrde
 * XR808g

Cantinas and pubs

 * Byss Bistro
 * Drunken Drummer
 * LoBue Cantina
 * Meltdown Café
 * Chalmun's Cantina

Planets and other locations

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

Appearances

 * Deal with a Demon
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
 * Outbound Flight
 * Star Wars: The Clone Wars video game
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * MedStar II: Jedi Healer
 * Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
 * Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
 * Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight
 * Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows
 * The Hutt Gambit
 * Han Solo at Stars' End
 * Han Solo's Revenge
 * Han Solo and the Lost Legacy
 * Deader than a Triton Moon
 * Rebel Dawn
 * Star Wars Journal: The Fight for Justice
 * Star Wars: Rebellion
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * X-wing: Wedge's Gamble
 * X-wing: The Krytos Trap
 * X-wing: The Bacta War
 * Heir to the Empire
 * Dark Force Rising
 * The Last Command
 * X-wing: Starfighters of Adumar
 * Specter of the Past
 * Vision of the Future
 * Dark Nest I: The Joiner King
 * Dark Nest II: The Unseen Queen
 * Dark Nest III: The Swarm War