The House of Representatives passed the HALT Fentanyl Act, a bill endorsed by Representative Eli Crane from Arizona. The legislation aims to make permanent the temporary class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances. This measure is intended to equip law enforcement with tools necessary to address the opioid crisis.
Fentanyl poisonings have become the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-49. Cartels import precursor chemicals from China, manufacture fentanyl on an industrial scale, and profit significantly once it is smuggled into the United States. A federal indictment in New York's Southern District, highlighted in a Reuters investigation, reveals that $800 worth of precursor chemicals can be converted into fentanyl pills or powder worth up to $640,000. Transnational criminal organizations use these profits for bribery, expanding production, reinforcing distribution networks, and stockpiling weapons.
If the emergency class-wide scheduling order expires, drug traffickers could exploit loopholes by making minor molecular changes to fentanyl compounds. This would create technically legal but equally lethal variants and limit U.S. Customs and Border Protection's ability to seize these substances.
"As a border state, Arizona has long been on the front lines of this crisis and has borne the brunt of these tragic consequences," said Rep. Crane. "By permanently classifying all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, we are fully criminalizing these weaponized opioids and giving law enforcement the tools they urgently need."
Rep. Crane expressed pride in supporting this legislation which aims to prevent dangerous loopholes and deter cartels from exploiting the system. He anticipates President Trump will sign it into law.
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