AMHERST – A 24-year-old male who was arrested Friday afternoon at the Amherst train station for the alleged possession of 320 grams of crack cocaine and a loaded 40-calibre handgun appeared in provincial court on Monday for a show cause hearing.
Michael Benyamin, of no fixed address in Toronto, is charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, carrying without lawful excuse a prohibited firearm, a Springfield Armory 40 calibre handgun in a careless manner and, at the same time, carrying a loaded prohibited firearm, a Springfield Armory handgun, for a purpose dangerous to the public.
Benyamin is also charged with, not being authorized under the Firearms Act to carry a concealed prohibited weapon, a Springfield Armory 40 calibre handgun, did carry it concealed.
He is also charged with possessing the same firearm without being the holder of a license under which he may possess it, and for possessing a loaded, prohibited firearm and was not the holder of an authorized license to possess the said firearm.
Benyamin also failed without lawful excuse to comply with a condition to be in his place of residence between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 p.m. seven days a week.
The alleged incidents occurred Feb. 22, in Amherst.
Benyamin will remain in custody until March 5, at 9:30 a.m. when he will appear in court to make a plea.
One other person was charged in the case, a 16-year-old male who is also from Toronto, and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
