Daft Question on being scanned

[starsphinx]

I have recently taken the large step of fighting things instead of running away having found that a) even I can win against small NPCs and b)turreted weapons are wonderful. I therefore investigate USSs which I did not before. I do not start fights - if someone interdicts me they get a fight - but if I drop into a USS and find 2 security vessels shooting something with a wanted badge then I stop and help like a responsible citizen. Now when I do this I do get scanned by the security people.

As sometimes the USS leads to some littering which I carefully pick to preserve the pristine state of the galaxy, and as the law is rather weird and considers this criminal my question is if I have picked up some litter and then see some nice policemen fighting a nasty criminal and stop to help will they decide I am criminal because I am carrying litter (uh trade data, rare art works etc) and shoot me instead?

I want to stay clean and would like to know what I am risking.

 

[Derpster Frey]

Security is scanning for warrants and illegal goods.

And yes, if you pick up stolen goods and the security scans you, they will open fire.

 

[Whiterose]

Yes Sir, you are a criminal, and they will target you, even if you help them out.

 

[CMDR Sheehy]

Head to the nearest outpost with a black market and sell them quickly. That "litter" was someone else's property before they "dropped it," probably with help.

 

[Midian Cabal]

They will decide that you're a criminal and issue a fine (around triple the value you have scooped), but they won't shoot at you.

 

[Arithon]

Once the Wanted guy is toast, the cops will depart after a while. However the cargo will expire after a while too. Which is quicker? That's for me to not know and you to find out!

Scooped cargo from killed ships and debris fields is classed as illegal contraband and you will be fined if scanned carrying it. So get scanned by the cops, they will leave, THEN you scoop.

Find an outpost (no patrols to scan you on approach) with a black market in your area - you can find this out on System Map - and take the goods there to sell.

Congratulations! You are now a smuggler! With any luck, a rich one! If you have a Fuel Scoop the only thing you need buy is ammo (or use Laser weapons) so all cargo is pure profit.

USS's are not all the same. If they are moving (slow down in super-cruise to see) they are ships (pirates, funeral ship, wedding barge, etc.) if you see ship exiting the USS (security or pirates) you'll likely find a debris field with cargo. Stationary USS with no ships is usually just floating stolen goods or cargo needed for a mission.

Hope this helps you.

 

[starsphinx]

Thanks chaps - I will dump the litter before helping the police then

I asked because I am outside of inhabited areas and dropping off the recovered canisters is not that simple. I must highlight again these are not from something I shot I am not into pirating I just stop and investigate USSs and sometimes they are a collection of canisters from someone elses tragedy. Note to others do not pick up chemical waste unless you have a refinery installed which I do not.