Picks power to lead criminal cartel (7)
I believe the answer is:
plectra
'picks' is the definition.
('plectron' can be a synonym of 'pick')
'power to lead criminal cartel' is the wordplay.
'to lead' suggests taking the first letters.
'criminal' is an anagram indicator.
The initial letter of 'power' is 'p'.
'cartel' is an anagram of 'lectra'.
'p'+'lectra'='PLECTRA'
(Other definitions for plectra that I've seen before include "Guitar pickers - carp let (anag)" , "Parts for harpsichord" , "Plucky types" , "Guitar plucking aids" , "Guitar picks" .)