Why were the laws against smuggling so difficult to enforce in the seventeenth and eighteenth century?

Laws against smuggling were difficult to enforce in the seventeenth and eighteenth century due to the vast Coastlines that needed to be monitored, corrupt officials who could be easily bribed, the involvement of local communities who often supported smugglers, and the lack of resources and manpower dedicated to policing the trade. Smugglers were also adept at using clandestine methods to evade authorities, making it challenging to catch them in the act.