Yuval Shem Tov, one of the most popular children's star in Israel, has been interrogated for allegedly acquiring and using cocaine. Police say Shem Tov, who is known to Israeli children as the TV character "Yuval Hamevulbal" ("Confused Yuval"), was apparently listed as one of the clients of suspected drug dealer Maor Alal, who is currently on trial.
Shem Tov's name is on a list of witnesses submitted by the prosecution, as is the name of a famous model, a foreign reporter, lawyers and several prominent business people.
According to investigators, Shem Tov and Alal have been involved in more than 10 transactions, totaling more than 12,000 shekels ($ 3,350).
Some two weeks ago, during a sting operation in Tel Aviv, police arrested three suspects, including Alal and his sister, after discovering cocaine and hashish in their apartment. Cellular phones that were discovered in the apartment revealed Maor's alleged distribution list, at a price of 2,000 shekels ($560) per gram of cocaine. One of the names was Shem Tov's, who according to the data seized would allegedly order between one and two grams.
Maor was expected to be indicted on Thursday, and officials believe some on the witness list may be indicted as well down the road.
Shem Tov's office released a statement saying he was "interviewed last week regarding an affair involving a third party and cooperated in full."
Shem Tov's attorney also issued a statement claiming the case was "minor" and that "if there was no high-profile figure involved, it would not have been considered as serious. We are convinced that Shem Tov played no role in this affair."
