Marijuana grow bust in Broomfield: Andrew Willenbring arrested, 396 plants seized

There have got to be safer places to cultivate marijuana than in Broomfield. Cops there are among the most aggressive in the state when it comes to busting weed grows. Note that the late March arrest of Brian Joseph Strick was the fourth pot-cultivation bust there over a 45-day span...

By Michael Roberts

April 30, 2010

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There have got to be safer places to cultivate marijuana than in Broomfield. Cops there are among the most aggressive in the state when it comes to busting weed grows. Note that the late March arrest of Brian Joseph Strick was the fourth pot-cultivation bust there over a 45-day span.

Oh yeah: Broomfield is also the community that threw Erick Schmuckal in jail for serving as a medical-marijuana patient and caregiver -- which he's licensed by the state of Colorado to do -- while on probation.

These reports apparently didn't reach Andrew Willenbring, 35, who was busted on Wednesday after the North Metro Drug Task Force discovered 396 marijuana plants in his home. Look below to get more details, and to check out an interactive graphic of the area where the arrest took place (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map").

View Larger Map

Broomfield Police Department release:

On Wednesday, April, 28, 2010, officers noticed indications of a possible marijuana cultivation operation at a home in the 200 block of Cypress Circle. North Metro Task Force Detectives were contacted and conducted a search of the residence where they found 396 marijuana plants in various stages of growth.

The resident, Andrew Willenbring, 071674, was arrested, booked and released on pending charges for cultivation of marijuana. Further investigation is ongoing.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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