A PUB in Selkirk used as a cannabis farm could remain boarded up and guarded for over a year.

Evidence is still being gathered from the Queen’s Head premises following the discovery of around 2,000 plants - with a street value of up to £1.8 million - at the end of October.

Four men were arrested in connection with the cultivation.

Selkirk pair Bartosz Gloskowski, 22, and 38-year-old Piotr Fryczak along with Rudoslaw Drozdowski 30, from Galashiels and 28-year-old Jakub Gorski of no fixed abode appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday. They are all charged with producing a controlled drug, being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession.

Gloskowski, Fryczak and Gorski also face charges under the Electricity Act and Proceeds of Crime Act.

They made no plea or declaration and all four were remanded in custody.

Detectives investigating the case are hoping evidence from within The Queen’s Head will lead them to organised criminal gangs behind similar industrial-sized operations.

Since the raid on Tuesday, October 28, forensic officers have scoured the former bar, lounge and upstairs flats.

Protective metal shutters have been bolted onto the windows and doors.

And local officers regularly patrol the area.

Community Inspector Carol Wood revealed this week that the building could remain out of bounds to potential developers or community groups for at least a year.

She said: “The Queen’s Head is a crime scene and will remain that way for as long as the court case continues. Evidence could still be in there.

“There are other investigations that are ongoing due to what was found in the Queen’s Head, these could also take some time.

“The police shutters will remain on the building for some time - it could well be a year.” Inspector Wood praised locals who alerted police to the odour coming from the former pub.

She added: “This was excellent work by the public and we can’t thank them enough.

“It was beneath our radar yet when our officers went to the area they could also sense the strong smell.

“Once warrants were obtained we went in and found one of the largest cannabis cultivations ever discovered in Scotland.

“The scale of the cannabis farm that was discovered is consistent with that of serious criminal organisations.” Inspector Wood revealed that six smaller cultivations had already been discovered in Hawick this year.

And she issued an appeal for anyone who suspects similar operations in the Borders to come forward.

Selkirkshire councillor Michelle Ballantyne said: “There are so many boarded up buildings these days it would be easy for these cannabis farms to spring up under our noses.”