MERIDEN – A 37-year-old city man faces multiple drug and firearms charges after police found more than 24 pounds of marijuana, along with 700 bags of marijuana-derived edibles, a handgun and shotgun in his Jefferson Street apartment.

Police allege Thomas Benham, 37, of 23 Jefferson St., had been operating an illegal drug factory out of the apartment, which they entered shortly before noon on Tuesday, Aug. 25.  

The Meriden Police Crime Suppression Unit officers who had entered the apartment had been executing a search warrant based on a narcotics investigation the unit had conducted, explained Police Sgt. Darrin McKay in a press release.  

Officers seized the marijuana, along with 700 bags of edible THC gummies, THC wax, THC extracts, a .32 caliber revolver and a SPAS-12 shotgun, with rounds of ammunition. A photo released by police of the seizure shows officers had also obtained other items, including packaging materials and a money counter.

Benham faces a litany of charges, including operating a drug factory, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, possession of an assault weapon and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell. 

Benham, who prior drug possession convictions, had been detained on $150,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear Oct. 9 in Meriden Court. 

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