Ordered raid on backstreet to find secret societies (6)
I believe the answer is:
triads
'secret societies' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both groups as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'ordered raid on backstreet' is the wordplay.
'ordered' indicates an anagram.
'on' is an insertion indicator.
'backstreet' becomes 'ts' ('st' backwards).
'raid' is an anagram of 'riad'.
'riad' inserted inside 'ts' is 'TRIADS'.
'to find' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for triads that I've seen before include "Sets of threes" , "Chinese criminal gangs" , "Eastern horse traders" , "Chinese secret societies involved in crime" , "Groups of sets of three" .)