Calls for new copper to confiscate drugs (5)
I believe the answer is:
needs
'calls for' is the definition.
('need' can be a synonym of 'call for')
'new copper to confiscate drugs' is the wordplay.
'new' becomes 'n' (abbreviation as in New Testament NT).
'copper' becomes 'DS' (detective sergeant).
'to confiscate' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'drugs' becomes 'ee' (an abbreviation for ecstasy written twice).
'n'+'ds'='nds'
'nds' placed around 'ee' is 'NEEDS'.
(Other definitions for needs that I've seen before include "'..... must when the devil drives'" , "Necessitates" , "Necessities" , "Wants, requires" , "Is desperate for" .)