Victoria Police have discovered human remains believed to be those of underworld figure Terrance Blewitt who went missing more than a decade ago.

Police said they were searching a property in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Thomastown as part of the investigation into Blewitt’s disappearance, when they came across the remains.

Purana Task Force detectives had been searching and digging at the Pelmet Crescent property since Monday morning, a police statement released on Wednesday said.

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“While the human remains are yet to be formally identified, detectives believe they are that of missing man Terrance Blewitt,” the statement said.

“A crime scene has now been established and police will continue to search the vacant land today for further evidence.”

Blewitt was last seen on April 12, 2004 by his partner who reported him missing after he failed to return home the following day.

Detectives hoped this would lead to evidence linked to Graham “The Munster” Kinniburgh’s death. Photo: AAP

It was understood that he was dropped off on the corner of Lachlan and Hume streets in Melton at 2.20pm by a friend.

At about the time of his disappearance, investigators received information that Mr Blewitt had met with foul play, the police statement said.

They said that the current owner of the property had no connection to the investigation.

Detectives said they also hoped the search would provide further evidence in relation to the murder of Graham Kinniburgh in December 2003.

A 55-year-old man was charged in November,2015 with murder in relation to his death.

Mr Kinniburgh was killed at about 12.05am on December 13, 2003 when he was allegedly confronted by an offender outside his home in Belmont Avenue, Kew.

Blewitt was 53 at the time he went missing.

Purana Task Force Detective Inspector Andrew Gustke said the investigation has been complex and protracted.

“Purana Taskforce investigators have taken hundreds of statements and interviewed hundreds of people during these investigations,” he said.

“We owe it to the family and friends of any victim of crime to investigate and do our very best to bring out some justice for them, and that’s what we are hoping to achieve with this discovery.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.