The Jerusalem District Police have announced the conclusion of the investigation into the case involving the intentional tampering of baby food with anesthetic substances. As reported by Maariv, the primary suspect is Yan Shamla, a 41-year-old resident of Be'er Sheva, who was arrested in late August. The investigation was led by the Zion District’s Crime Fighting Unit, with subsequent involvement from the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). For a long period, investigators struggled to identify a specific suspect, as no direct connection or prior acquaintance existed between the perpetrator and the infants affected by the contaminated food.
The breakthrough came following intensive intelligence work, which included a comprehensive review of hundreds of hours of security footage and the use of advanced technological tools. After identifying Shamla as the lead suspect, police detectives conducted covert surveillance on his daily routines, eventually leading to his arrest at his home. During detention extension hearings, the police alleged that the suspect acted with the specific intent to poison infants.
Furthermore, a search of his personal computer revealed videos that are currently being examined by investigators. Early in the probe, various theories regarding the motive were considered, including the possibility of a nationalist motive, but the Israel Police ruled this out, as well as any connection to Iranian entities. Police possess footage of Shamla inside a supermarket near the time he allegedly placed the contaminated products on the shelves. With the evidence collection concluded and a evidentiary basis established, the State Attorney's Office has filed a prosecutor's declaration, a preliminary step toward the filing of a formal indictment against Shamla.
The incident has profoundly affected the families of the victims, with one mother describing her daughters’ condition after consuming the product as suffering from impaired consciousness and unresponsiveness. She noted that the incident led to a significant change in her household consumption habits and increased caution in choosing food for her children. The public is now awaiting the formal filing of the indictment.