My players are headed down the route between Nazzri and Zeltros. The Merson Pirates look interesting but I'm trying to figure how the operate. Reading reveals the asteroid field there used to interdict hyperspace travel but I gotta wonder, why not just fly around? Also they were said to use the planet as hq, but how would the planet survive on only pirated goods, and who would trade there otherwise. If it's so known, why is it tolerated? Supposedly they were supported by the Separatists during the clone wars but beaten. How could the still be in operation now? Wouldn't the Empire just clear the toute? Do the pirates,operate interdictors or sonething? Whole thing just doesn't make sense to me but I'd love to use it.

Freight in Star Wars travels from beacon to beacon (victor airways). If you know where the jump points are you know exactly where to set up an ambush.

And yes, it's perfectly viable and realistic for the whole place to live just from illicit goods. Just look at any large harbor on Earth.

A. Raids get you supply. It can also be supported by underworld network or scummy traders, or pirates who aren't raiders, who get supply.

B. Local law enforcement isn't absolute. They might been spread thin over many sectorial trouble. Same applies to imperial forces. Local law also might have been disbanded due to imperial fear of rebellion.