Husband of Israeli Minister's Advisor Sentenced to 13 Months for Cannabis Cultivation

Mor Biton, husband of Adi Hodfi-Biton, an advisor to Israeli Minister for Social Equality Mai Golan, was sentenced to 13 months in prison by the Rehovot Magistrate's Court on Monday. Biton was convicted in a plea deal for growing, producing, and preparing illegal drugs after police discovered a drug lab with 78 cannabis plants in the couple's home in Yavne. The court also imposed a suspended sentence and a fine of 12,000 shekels. Judge Keren Wexler declared Biton a drug dealer.

The drug lab was found during a raid by investigators from the Lahav 433 unit as part of the "Mad Gova" investigation, which probes alleged criminal conduct linked to the Ministry for Social Equality. Additional drugs and equipment for drug production were found in the apartment, storage areas, and vehicles. Biton admitted to involvement with the drugs but claimed his wife was unaware of the locked room adjacent to their bedroom where the lab was located.

Adi Hodfi-Biton herself is suspected of multiple offenses, including fraud and drug-related crimes, based on the evidence found at their home. The broader "Mad Gova" investigation examines allegations of fraud, misuse of public funds, fictitious employment, and concealment of funding sources. In July of the previous year, Minister Mai Golan was questioned under caution on suspicions including bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and submitting false affidavits.