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MADDIE ROADBLOCK

Madeleine McCann cops dealt major blow as results come in from Algarve dam search – but cops vow to continue

GERMAN prosecutors probing new evidence in the search for Madeleine McCann have hit a "roadblock."

Cops have spent the past two weeks analyzing items discovered during the search in the Barragem do Arade reservoir in Portugal, 30 miles from where three-year-old Madeleine went missing.

Detectives spent three days searching the Barragem do Arade reservoir
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Detectives spent three days searching the Barragem do Arade reservoirCredit: PA
Christian B called the area his "little paradise"
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Christian B called the area his "little paradise"Credit: AFP
Three-year-old Maddie vanished from Praia da Luz in 2008
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Three-year-old Maddie vanished from Praia da Luz in 2008Credit: PA

Sources close to the case say none of the items have thrown up any new clues but cops are determined to continue.

A source told The Sun Online: "Sadly, it’s looking increasingly like the search of the reservoir will not provide any answers or fresh leads. 

"It’s too strong to say it was a waste of time, but officers are naturally really disappointed. 

"They hoped these items would present new clues that they could follow up. 

"But despite using some of the most high-tech forensic kit available none of the items have proved to be of use. 

"It feels like a bit of a roadblock has been hit. However, there are still some items to carry out checks on and the police team will continue to work hard to do all they can to try and make sure no stone is left unturned in checking every single item seized from that reservoir."

Detectives spent three days scouring the reservoir near Praia da Luz that Christian B, 46, once called his "little paradise".

Police flattened an area of woodland and dug holes near the remote reservoir as part of their hunt for evidence.

Investigators searched the remote spot and uncovered a "number of items" that could be linked to the missing tot's case.

Lead prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters, later said the individual items seized as part of searches would be evaluated. 

Portuguese police said materials had been sent to Germany for testing.

Last week German police sources revealed that cops are planning to place suspect Christian B under 24/7 surveillance as he may be released from jail before the end of the investigation into him- which could stretch to 2026.

Maddie was just three-years-old when she vanished from her holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in 2007.

German police are confident that Christian B, who was named as the prime suspect in Maddie's disappearance in 2020 is their man.

He has denied any involvement in Maddie's disappearance and insisted the allegations were a "fairy tale".

Earlier this month it emerged that Christian B, allegedly told his former friend Helge Buschling that "she didn't scream" shortly after Maddie disappeared in Portugal.

Buschling was the first person to give police Christian B’s name in connection to the missing girl's case.

Read More on The US Sun

Christian B is currently serving a seven-year sentence for the 2005 rape of a pensioner in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz.

He was charged with three offences of aggravated rape and two offences of the sexual abuse of children, in alleged crimes spanning 17 years between 2000 and 2017.

Cops dug holes near the remote reservoir
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Cops dug holes near the remote reservoirCredit: PA
The three-day search took place 30 miles from where Maddie went missing
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The three-day search took place 30 miles from where Maddie went missingCredit: EPA
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