Crossword Genius

Escort drug dealer out of Portugal (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

usher

'escort' is the definition.
(I know that usher is a type of escort)

'drug dealer out of portugal' is the wordplay.
'drug dealer' becomes 'pusher' (someone who sells or pushes drugs).
'out of' suggests deleting specific letters.
'portugal' becomes 'p' (common abbreviation eg on car number plates).
'pusher' with 'p' removed is 'USHER'.

(Other definitions for usher that I've seen before include "Doorkeeper in parliament or 29 down" , "Doorkeeper in court of law" , "One conducts people to seats" , "Theatre/cinema worker" , "Person who shows one to a seat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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