Police search Kudla home for missing man Steven Murphy, another man charged with firearms offences

A man has been charged after an overnight raid by police searching for a missing man’s body, with the CFS called in to drain a huge hole the size of two shipping containers.

Excavation equipment is expected to be brought in on Tuesday as the major search of a northern suburbs property continues, following a tip-off to police that a body could be there.

Major Crime detectives started a raid on the Ormsby Road, Kudla property, south of Gawler, just after 6pm on Sunday.

The search began after police received information that a body – potentially that of missing northern suburbs father Steven Murphy – could be at the property.

During the raid, police allegedly found 20 cannabis plants being hydroponically grown in a rear shed, along with .22 rifle and ammunition.

A Kudla man, 45, was arrested by police and appeared via video link in Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with a range of firearm and drug trafficking offences.

Missing man Steven Murphy, 38, was last seen at Kudla on Wednesday, February 15. Picture: SA Police

Police say they are “open to the possibility” Mr Murphy’s body may be on the property. Picture: Facebook

The man’s defence counsel, Stephen Ey, ordered a home detention report, telling the court it was a “complicated matter” and time was needed to establish the charges – but did not elaborate any further.

The man will return to court later this month.

The charges are not linked to the tip-off about the missing man, and The Advertiser does not suggest any wrongdoing by the arrested man in relation to the missing-person investigation.

Police at a house in Ormsby Rd, Kulda, in relation to the missing person search. Picture: Eva Blandis

Police remove a computer after searching the property at Kudla. Picture: Kelly Barnes

It is understood the CFS were brought in to drain water from a large hole, believed to be the size of two shipping containers, found in a shed.

It is further understood machinery will be brought in on Tuesday for excavation as the search continues.

Police remove computers after searching the property at Kudla. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Major Crime Detective Inspector Mark McEachern said the raid came after police received information on Sunday night relating to Mr Murphy, who was last seen in the area on February 15.

Major Crime and Barossa detectives spent Monday scouring all areas of the four-acre property – including the yard, shed, house and olive orchard – for any sign of human remains.

Detectives removed some items from the house, including a computer.

Detective Inspector McEachern confirmed police were considering the possibility that the body to which the tip-off referred could be that of Mr Murphy.

Police at the Kudla property. Picture: Kelly Barnes

He said police were unaware of any obvious links between Mr Murphy and the arrested man.

He said investigations were ongoing and searches would continue. Detective Inspector McEachern also confirmed there had been ongoing searches in the area for Mr Murphy over the past week.

“He is one of the people we will be bearing in mind, but we are certainly keeping our options open and whether the information is in fact correct,” he said.