Crossword Genius

Firm action reduced cocaine supply? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crackdown

'firm action' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'cocaine supply?' is the wordplay.
'cocaine' becomes 'crack' (crack is a kind of cocaine).
'supply?' becomes 'down' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'crack'+'down'='CRACKDOWN'

'reduced' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

(Other definitions for crackdown that I've seen before include "severe action" , "Repressive action" , "Crushing measures" , "getting tough" , "Repression" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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