Figures release by the Ministry for Justice indicate that a dramatic rise in the number of minifigs being smuggled from the western Castleland and Basicstan provinces to the townships occurred in 2010 as the ongoing war between the Legoban and forces loyal to the state saw a breakdown in law enforcement.
In 2009 a total of 37 minifigs were rescued by the Empire Police and other state agencies but last year saw this figure jump to just under 100. Authorities are blaming organised crime syndicates from the townships and Castlefig warlords for the rise.