The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word CULLS
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
C
U
L
L
S
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Destroys" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case destroys = culls.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CULLS mean?
CULLS noun- A selection.
- An organised killing of selected animals.
- (farming) An individual animal selected to be killed, or item of produce to be discarded.
- (seafood industry) A lobster having only one claw.
- A piece unfit for inclusion within a larger group; an inferior specimen.
- To pick or take someone or something (from a larger group).
- To gather, collect.
- To select animals from a group and then kill them in order to reduce the numbers of the group in a controlled manner.
- To kill (animals etc).
- To lay off in order to reduce the size of, get rid of.
- A fool, gullible person; a dupe.
- Any refuse material.