Crossword Genius

Criminal kingpins initially did runner, or screened lad's article (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

drug lords

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

'criminal kingpins initially did' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'runner or screened lad's article' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'runner' could be 'rug' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'rug' is present in the answer.
'or' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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