Answer :
The way that illegal smuggling affected the Portuguese Empire was that C. It caused economic hardship in the empire.
How were the Portuguese affected by smuggling?
The Portuguese Empire was one of trade and relied on its many trading posts around the world to make profits.
Illegal smuggling therefore led to economic hardship for the Portuguese because they could no longer make as much profits.
Find out more on illegal smuggling at https://brainly.com/question/14900974.
#SPJ1