Husband of Minister Mai Golan’s Advisor Sentenced to 13 Months for Drug Trafficking

A court sentenced Mor Biton, husband of Minister Mai Golan’s advisor, to 13 months in prison after he was convicted of drug-related offenses. Biton admitted to charges including cultivation, production, and possession of dangerous drugs, as well as possession of drug manufacturing equipment. The ruling followed a police raid on September 15, 2025, at their five-room apartment in Yavne, where authorities uncovered a sophisticated cannabis growing lab with 78 plants weighing 1.88 kilograms, along with various drug paraphernalia. Additional drugs were found in the apartment, a warehouse, and two vehicles, including a government-provided Skoda and a Tesla owned by Biton’s wife.

Biton, 34, has a history of eight prior convictions and grew up in a challenging environment. He claimed to have started using cannabis medicinally after a car accident and stopped all psychoactive substances since the raid. Despite participating in rehabilitation programs and expressing remorse, the court found his criminal operation to be well-planned and systematic, emphasizing the severity of using public resources for illegal activity. The prosecution sought a sentence between 10 and 24 months and requested Biton be declared a drug dealer, with confiscation of lab equipment and funds related to the Tesla.

Defense attorney Alon Kriti argued the lab was limited to one room in a residential setting and highlighted Biton’s role as primary caregiver to his wife and infant son, warning that imprisonment would harm family stability. The judge rejected these arguments, citing the scale of the operation and Biton’s repeated offenses despite prior rehabilitation efforts. Biton received 13 months imprisonment, eight months suspended for felony drug offenses, three months suspended for misdemeanor drug offenses, and a 12,000 shekel fine. The court also declared him a drug dealer and ordered confiscation of all lab equipment but declined to seize the Tesla due to ongoing related legal proceedings involving Biton’s partner.