Charlie and Michael distributed methamphetamine, perhaps (8)

I believe the answer is:

chemical

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'methamphetamine perhaps' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'charlie and michael distributed' is the wordplay.
'charlie' becomes 'C' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'distributed' indicates an anagram.
'michael' anagrammed gives 'hemical'.
'c'+'hemical'='CHEMICAL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for chemical that I've seen before include "Of the interactions of substances" , "Laboratory substance" , "Of a substance such as ethanol" , "Relating to composition and properties of substances" , "One may react" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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