Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Drug cops, informally”
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Answer: NARCS – 5 letters
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Clue number and direction: 6 Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Drug cops, informally” is answered with NARCS in 5 letters. In the grid, you’ll enter it as NARCS straight across.
Why NARCS Is the Right NYT Answer
“Drug cops” refers to officers who work narcotics cases, and the common informal term for them is “narcs.” The plural in the clue (“cops”) matches the plural answer NARCS, not the singular NARC.
For the February 11, 2026 NYT Mini, 6‑Across is explicitly listed as NARCS in the official answer lists. All intersecting Downs (FINES, OKAPI, XEROX, ACCT, SHH) support the N‑A‑R‑C‑S pattern, so the fill is fully confirmed.
What NARCS Means
In casual English, “narcs” is slang for narcotics officers, i.e., police who enforce drug laws. The singular form is “narc,” but crosswords often use the plural to match grid length needs.
So when the clue says “Drug cops, informally,” it is just pointing to that everyday slang term NARCS. It’s straightforward once you connect “drug” with “narcotics.”
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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Watch the clue’s number: “Drug cop, informally” usually wants NARC (4), while “Drug cops, informally” wants NARCS (5).
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Think of slang: words like NARC/NARCS, COPS, ROBOCOP, etc., often appear in informal‑tone clues.
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Use crossings: if you see N_RCS or NA__S from crosses, NARCS is the obvious fit for a drug‑officer clue.
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Remember common police vocab: DEA, G‑MAN, NARC/NARCS, and VICE are all frequent in NYT‑style puzzles.
How NARCS Fits the Grid
For 6‑Across on February 11, 2026, the NYT Mini has a five‑letter slot, which NARCS fills exactly. Pattern‑wise, you’re looking at:
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Pattern in grid:
NARCS(N‑A‑R‑C‑S)
Each letter crosses cleanly:
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N with FINES.
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A with OKAPI.
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R with XEROX.
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C with ACCT.
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S with SHH.
When every crossing works, you can be certain NARCS is correct.
Other Ways NARCS Might Be Clued
NARCS (or singular NARC) appears in many crosswords with related clues, such as:
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“Cop who targets drug dealers, informally” (NARC)
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“Drug cop” / “Drug cop, for short”
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“Narcotics officers, slangily”
All of these play on the same idea: slang for law enforcement focused on narcotics.
Complete February 11, 2026 NYT Mini Answers Today (Across & Down clues and answers)
Here are the key answers from the February 11, 2026 NYT Mini to help you complete the full grid.
Across
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Flying ___ (kind of bat, despite its name) | FOX | 3 |
| Furniture retailer known for its sprawling stores | IKEA | 4 |
| Drug cops, informally | NARCS | 5 |
| Geological time period spanning several ages | EPOCH | 5 |
| Like F, in the alphabet | SIXTH | 5 |
Down
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Penalties for parking violations | FINES | 5 |
| African mammal whose striped legs resemble a zebra's | OKAPI | 5 |
| Make a copy of | XEROX | 5 |
| Bank customer's holding: Abbr. | ACCT | 4 |
| “Quiet, you!” | SHH | 3 |
