Crossword Genius

Dope popular with half-cut teller (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

intel

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'dope' is the definition.
(both can mean information)

'popular with half-cut teller' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'popular' could be 'in' ('in' can mean trendy) and 'in' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'tel' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for intel that I've seen before include "Chip manufacturer based in California" , "Information" , "US chip manufacturer" , "military info" , "silicon chip manufacturer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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