Designation of Benzylfentanyl and 4-Anilinopiperidine, Precursor Chemicals Used in the Illicit Manufacture of Fentanyl, as List I Chemicals

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is proposing the control of N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylpropionamide (also known as benzylfentanyl), including its salts, and N-phenylpiperidin-4-amine (also known as 4-anilinopiperidine; N-phenyl-4-piperidinamine; 4-AP) (hereinafter referred to as 4-anilinopiperidine), including its amides, its carbamates, and its salts, as list I chemicals under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Benzylfentanyl and 4-anilinopiperidine are used in, and are important to, the illicit manufacture of the schedule II controlled substance fentanyl. If finalized, this action would subject handlers of benzylfentanyl and 4-anilinopiperidine to the chemical regulatory provisions of the CSA and its implementing regulations. This rulemaking does not establish a threshold for domestic and international transactions of benzylfentanyl or 4-anilinopiperidine. As such, all transactions of chemical mixtures containing benzylfentanyl or 4- anilinopiperidine will be regulated at any concentration and will be subject to control under the CSA.