Missing man Jamie Williamson was last seen in the Clermont area on October 21
Concerns are growing for a convicted drug trafficker last seen near a Central Queensland mine worksite a fortnight ago.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A former drug kingpin who was busted with $564,000 in cash has been missing in remote outback in Central Queensland for more than two weeks.
Jamie William Williamson was last seen about 6.10pm on October 21 near a work accommodation site on Moray Bulliwallah Rd between Clermont and Belyando.
A police spokesman said police, Australian Defence Force personnel, SES members, the Queensland Remote Area Tracking and members of the public had searched an area of 2000sq km but failed to find him.
The army, which had deployed 41 personnel, four drones and five Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, has since left the search.
Mr Williamson, a former rugby league player in Toowoomba, was in 2010 convicted of trafficking and possessing speed, ecstasy and marijuana in one of Queensland’s largest drug busts.
He received a 13-year jail sentence.
Mr Williamson had a Toowoomba region drug business selling to wholesalers and street dealers between 2004 and 2006 before being arrested at Brisbane Airport in December 2006 while returning home from a luxury Hawaiian holiday.
Police had earlier raided two storage sheds hired in his name uncovering $564,000 cash, 8kg of marijuana, thousands of ecstasy tablets, 2kg of methylamphetamine and a stash of firearms.
He was on parole at the time he went missing.
Inspector Ian Haughton said SES crews from as far away as Townsville, Charters Towers and Rockhampton had been looking for Mr Williamson since he went missing in Central Queensland.
A specialised rescue aircraft from Cairns, a government helicopter from Townsville and Mackay’s RACQ Rescue helicopter were also used in the search.
“The search area has been modified, adapted based on intelligence including phone data and public information and extended primarily north from the last known location,” Inspector Haughton said.
A police spokesman said SES groups would conduct targeted searches for Mr Williamson over the coming days.
“Uniform and plain clothes officers from Mackay District supported by intelligence officers and the missing persons unit remain actively involved in the investigation,” he said.
“Air assets including search jets, helicopter and drones supplemented foot and vehicle searching in the period since he was last seen.
“Police will continue to conduct inquiries and investigate any leads and information received, however at this time the disappearance of Mr Williamson is not being treated as suspicious.
“Police encourage any member of the public with information to contact Crime Stoppers or PoliceLink.”
A police spokesman said they along with family members held concerns for Mr William’s welfare.
Police are calling on motorists to check dash cameras if they travelled along or near the Gregory Developmental Rd or the Bowen Developmental Rd between Clermont and Charters Towers between October 22 and 27.
Mr Williamson is described as caucasian, 180cm tall with dark blonde hair, brown eyes and a muscular build.
“Motorists who observed anyone matching Jamie’s description walking along the Gregory or Bowen Developmental Rd or offered him a lift, is asked to contact police,” a police statement said.
“Police are appealing to Jamie, or anyone with information regarding his current whereabouts to come forward immediately.”
Join the conversation
Named: 40+ Central Qld meth parents’ crimes exposed
From parents running drug trafficking enterprises to mums and dads committing assaults and arsons while high on methamphetamine. See who faced court for their crimes.
Read more
Joint probe to determine cause of fatal CQ boating tragedy
A maritime safety authority probe will dovetail with police investigations into the death of a man in a Central Queensland boating tragedy last weekend.
Read more