Yan Shmela
Yan Shmela is a 41-year-old resident of Beersheba and the primary suspect in a high-profile criminal case involving the deliberate tampering of baby food products with prescription sedatives in Jerusalem.
Yan Shmela, a resident of Beersheba, is the central figure in a criminal investigation that shocked the Israeli public in 2026. Shmela is accused of deliberately tampering with jars of "Prinok" baby fruit puree by injecting them with benzodiazepines—a class of prescription sedatives typically used to treat anxiety and insomnia. The case came to light after several infants in the Jerusalem area were hospitalized with symptoms of unexplained sedation after consuming the products. Following a complex investigation led by the Jerusalem District Police with the assistance of the Shin Bet, Shmela was identified through forensic evidence and extensive surveillance analysis. On Thursday, September 10, 2024, the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office filed a formal prosecutor's statement against him, signaling the completion of the investigation and the imminent filing of an indictment. Security footage released by authorities shows Shmela walking through a supermarket and placing the tampered jars back onto the shelves. The motive for the alleged act remains under investigation, though the involvement of the Shin Bet during the initial stages suggests the gravity with which security services treated the potential for a broader public safety threat. Shmela remains in custody as legal proceedings move forward.