Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Seven Fentanyl-Related Substances in Schedule I

The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is issuing this notice of intent to publish a temporary order to schedule seven fentanyl-related substances in schedule I. These seven substances are: N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)- N-phenylpentanamide (valeryl fentanyl), N-(4-fluorophenyl)- N-(1-phenethylpiperidin- 4-yl)butyramide (para-fluorobutyryl fentanyl), N-(4-methoxyphenyl)- N-(1- phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)butyramide (para-methoxybutyryl fentanyl), N- (4-chlorophenyl)- N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)isobutyramide (para- chloroisobutyryl fentanyl), N-(1-phenethylpiperidin- 4-yl)-N- phenylisobutyramide (isobutyryl fentanyl), N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4- yl)- N-phenylcyclopentane carboxamide (cyclopentyl fentanyl), and N-(2- fluorophenyl)- 2-methoxy-N-(1-phenethylpiperidin- 4-yl)acetamide (ocfentanil). This action is based on a finding by the Administrator that the placement of these seven synthetic opioids in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety. When it is issued, the temporary scheduling order will impose the administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions and regulatory controls applicable to schedule I controlled substances under the CSA on the manufacture, distribution, reverse distribution, possession, importation, exportation, research, and conduct of instructional activities, and chemical analysis of these synthetic opioids.