I agree with the fact that smuggling is more for the thrill than the money...
It gets boring rolling legal goods hours on end...
We're working on starting a solid smuggling faction - always taking recruits
The best take we currently have is a black market munitions run - which can come close to a normal haul. However, to survive as a smuggler you have to run a fast, strong, and nimble ship.. which you get by sacrificing cargo.
To solve this...
We're looking at creating a player base as a drop-off point for distant contraband.
We'll be trucking in goods on large sows from the rim..
Then using our nimble blockade runners to ferry the goods into the core planets.
Advice always welcome...
"You got a job, we can do it, don't much care what it is."