Crossword Genius

Old illicit traders disposing of the last of their drugs (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opiates

'drugs' is the definition.
(opiate is a kind of drug)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for opiates that I've seen before include "Is a poet (anag.)" , "Sedative drugs" , "Narcotic drugs" , "Poppy-derived drugs" , "Branch of narcotics" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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