Crossword Genius

Imported copper: high grade, half mended (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gendarme

'imported copper' is the definition.
(a gendarme is a French police officer)

'high grade half mended' is the wordplay.
'high' is an anagram indicator (like drunk).
'half' indicates taking half.
'mended' cut in half is 'men'.
'grade'+'men'='grademen'
'grademen' is an anagram of 'GENDARME'.

(Other definitions for gendarme that I've seen before include "Law enforcer" , "see in Paris!" , "Member of the French police" , "French Connection cop" , "Nice policeman" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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