Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Butyryl Fentanyl and Beta-Hydroxythiofentanyl Into Schedule I

The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is issuing this final order to temporarily schedule the synthetic opioids, N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylbutyramide, also known as N-(1- phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylbutanamide, (butyryl fentanyl) and N- [1-[2-hydroxy-2-(thiophen-2-yl)ethyl]piperidin-4-yl]-N- phenylpropionamide, also known as N-[1-[2-hydroxy-2-(2-thienyl)ethyl]- 4-piperidinyl]-N-phenylpropanamide, (beta-hydroxythiofentanyl), and their isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers, into schedule I pursuant to the temporary scheduling provisions of the Controlled Substances Act. This action is based on a finding by the Administrator that the placement of butyryl fentanyl and beta- hydroxythiofentanyl into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act is necessary to avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety. As a result of this order, the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances will be imposed on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess), or propose to handle, butyryl fentanyl and beta-hydroxythiofentanyl.