65 Across

NYT Daily • August 3, 2025

Drug-busting unit

Answer:

KILO

Hint:

["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue **\"Drug-busting unit\"** with the answer **\"KILO\"**:\n\n*\"It's a measure often mentioned in crime reports, but not in meters.\"*\n\nThis hint:\n- Suggests a unit of measurement (without saying \"kilogram\").\n- Hints at a law enforcement context (\"crime reports\").\n- Avoids directly repeating the clue or giving away the answer."]

Explanation:

The clue **"Drug-busting unit"** leads to the answer **"KILO"** through a clever play on words related to law enforcement and measurement. 1. **Drug-Busting Context**: In law enforcement, particularly in drug-related operations, a **"kilo"** is a common shorthand for a **kilogram**, a standard unit of measurement for illegal drugs (e.g., "a kilo of cocaine"). 2. **Double Meaning**: The word **"unit"** reinforces the idea of a measurement term, while **"drug-busting"** hints at the slang usage of "kilo" in narcotics enforcement. Thus, the answer **"KILO"** fits as both a metric unit and a term frequently associated with drug seizures.