FOUR Polish nationals have been remanded in custody after cannabis plants potentially worth £1.8 million were found growing in a closed-down public house in the Scottish Borders.

The four men all appeared in private at Jedburgh Sheriff Court charged with being concerned in the supply of the class B drug.

It is alleged around 2,000 cannabis plants were seized after police searched the Queens Head Inn public house in Selkirk which is currently boarded up.

Various other items of cultivation equipment were recovered from the boarded-up Queens Head Inn and two flats above.

Police Scotland said the raid on Tuesday took place after conducting personal searches on two men led them to the public house.

They estimate the cannabis plants have a potential yield of between £700,000 and £1.8 million.

Selkirk pair Bartosz Gloskowski, 22, and 38-year-old Piotr Fryczak, Rudoslaw Drozdowski 30, from Galashiels, and 28-year-old Jakub Gorski of no fixed abode all appeared on petition at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

They are charged with produce a controlled drug, being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession.

In addition, Gloskowski, Fryczak and Gorski faced charges under the Electricity Act and proceeds of Crime Act.

All four made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination.

They were remanded in custody by Sheriff Kevin Drummond and are due to appear next in court on Friday, November 7.

The discovery of the cannabis factory in the disused pub has been hailed as a major success by Police Scotland.

Detective Superintendent Pat Campbell said: "Thanks to some excellent police work by local officers, we have recovered a substantial cannabis cultivation and seized the drugs before they could be distributed within our communities "Police Scotland is committed to tackling drug crime and bringing those involved in the production and distribution of illegal substances to justice.

"The public can play a vital role in helping us identify and dismantle cannabis cultivations by remaining vigilant for the telltale signs that one is in operation.

"Individuals buying large quantities of soil and fertiliser or using large-scale heating and lighting equipment may attract suspicion, while properties using large amounts of electricity could be involved in the cultivation process.

"Anyone wishing to report drug crime in their area can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Apart from a brief three month spell at the end of 2013, the Queens Head Inn has been boarded up since it was sold by Punch Taverns in 2011.

There has been confusion among Selkirk residents - who regard the Queens Head Inn as a cherished local watering hole - on who actually owns the building. It was advertised for sale last year for offers over £125,000.