Crossword Genius

Brainboxes operated in group reliant on intelligence? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crania

'brainboxes' is the definition.
(plural of cranium - the cranium holds the brain)

'operated in group reliant on intelligence?' is the wordplay.
'operated' becomes 'ran' ('run' can be a synonym of 'operate').
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'group reliant on intelligence?' becomes 'CIA' (Central Intelligence Agency).
'ran' put within 'cia' is 'CRANIA'.

(Another definition for crania that I've seen is " Skulls".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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