Crossword Genius

Reactionaries behind a drug bust (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rearguard

'reactionaries' is the definition.
(rearguard can mean a group of reactionaries)

'behind a drug bust' is the wordplay.
'behind' becomes 'rear' (both can mean one's bottom).
'bust' is an anagram indicator.
'a'+'drug'='adrug'
'adrug' is an anagram of 'guard'.
'rear'+'guard'='REARGUARD'

(Other definitions for rearguard that I've seen before include "conservative element" , "Troops protecting back of military formation" , "conservative faction" , "detachment" , "Defensive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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