Cannabis cultivation 'worth at least £1.3m' unearthed in Hawick

More than 1,600 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of at least £1.3 million have been unearthed during a police raid in Hawick.

Officers swooped on the premises in the town's Dovecote Street around 1.40pm on Thursday.

Four men have been arrested in connection with the cultivation.

Craig Cottrell, 45, from Hawick; Waldemir Lukasik, 41, of Musselburgh; and Tuan Dua, 36, and Huynh Nguyen, 42, both of no fixed address; have been charged with producing and being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug, as well as a breach of the Electricity Act.

All four made no plea when they appeared in private at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, and were committed for further examination.

While Cottrell and Lukasik have been released on bail, Dua and Nguyen have been remanded in custody and are due to appear back in court later this week.

Chief Inspector David Rourke said: “This was a significant recovery which demonstrates our continued commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country's Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“We remain committed to disrupting the sale and supply of illegal drugs in our communities of Hawick.

“Anyone with concerns about drugs in their area can contact Police Scotland on 101 or provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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