About 40 police officers are searching bush and farmland in South Australia's Mid North for the body of a man they believed was murdered in 2020.
The Major Crime Investigation Branch is coordinating an operation to find the body of 29-year-old Robert Atkins, who was reported missing in January 2021.
They are looking in an area between Peterborough and Orroroo.
Police said the search could take four days on foot and using motorcycles.
They have earlier stated they believe Mr Atkins's death was connected to his involvement in the drug scene in Adelaide's southern suburbs.
An operation called Taskforce Southern has been set up to investigate his death, along with those of several other people who have been murdered — some with so-called "hotshots" of drugs.
Detectives allege he was held captive for more than a week and tortured in a Christies Downs home in November 2020, before he was murdered in part over a $1,000 drug debt.
He may have been moved to Seaford and Port Pirie before he died.
He last used his bank account and phone on November 12, 2020.
His mother reported him missing on January 2, 2021, after not being able to contact him.
Other murders also investigated
Taskforce Southern was launched in December and initially focused on Mr Atkins's alleged murder, along with the deaths of Trevor King and Jeff Mundy.
Rewards totalling $600,000 are on offer for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the deaths of the three men, who were all involved in the methamphetamine trade.
Mr King's body was found at West Lakes in January 2020, in what detectives believe was a staged drug overdose.
A reward is also available for information leading to the recovery of the bodies of Mr Atkins and Mr Mundy.
More than 40 investigators, forensic scientists and intelligence officers are involved in the task force.
