So, when you get there, make sure you are handy at evading interdictions and also depending on the type of smuggling, being scanned could be all that is required to blow your mission.
Some tips if i may (as i am a old time smuggler).
First problem will come through interdiction. If you cant beat the interdictor, always submit before being interdicted, that will stop the disorientating spin and give you a few seconds more to get distance on your attacker.
Stop scan or slow the scan. There are a few tricks you can use aside from a really fast ship with an engine that can cycle boost quickly.
1). I recommend a build with both chaff and heat sink launcher.
Chaff can slow the progression of the scan. Running silent reduces your detection range and can help sometimes (if you are fast enough) in the scan not being performed, and hence the heat sink launcher will dissipate your built up heat while boosting like crazy under run silent configuration.
Finally if the scan is performed, the last trick is to target the attacker and deploy weapons and only deploy after he starts his scan. This will force the attacker to drop the scan and deploy his weapons in defence and reinitiate a scan giving you a few more seconds to get out of scan range before its complete.
Hope this helps and look forward to hearing your smuggling stories. Its time to see if you two can do the sothis run in under 12 parsecs.