Powerful despot entraps and imprisons them (6)

I believe the answer is:

potent

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'powerful' is the definition.
(I know that powerful can be written as potent)

'despot entraps and imprisons them' is the wordplay.
'POTENT' is hidden in amongst the letters.
However, I'm unsure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for potent that I've seen before include "Powerful, influential" , "Powerful or effective" , "Strong or concentrated, like some drink" , "Having great power" , "Mighty" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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