EXCLUSIVE Revealed: The four words a top German detective said before 'last-ditch' Madeleine McCann search... as sources claim three-day operation turned up 'nothing'
The head of the German force leading the fresh searches for Madeleine McCann told a friend who wished him luck: 'Thanks, we need it.'
Rainer Grimm, boss of the BKA, Germany 's equivalent of the FBI, is in Portugal overseeing the search which ended yesterday.
His apparent lack of confidence in the operation to his pal echoed what many have seen as the 'last throw of the dice' for investigators looking to solve the 18-year riddle.
But sources close to the investigation said that 'only animal bones and bits of old adult clothing' have been found in the estimated £300,000 operation.
One officer told MailOnline: 'We always knew it was going to be a waste of time but we have to show cooperation.
'What did they expect to find after 18 years ? We were happy to work with them but we knew it would be a waste of time.
'And they weren't happy on Thursday after Portugal beat Germany 2-1.'
Convicted rapist and paedophile Christian Brueckner, 48, has been identified by German prosecutors as the man behind Madeleine's 'abduction and murder'.
He was sensationally named by German authorities in June 2020 as the man responsible for Madeleine's abduction and murder, but he has not been charged – and the sands of time are running out.
Brueckner, who has vehemently denied the allegations, is currently serving a seven-year sentence for a separate rape case and is due for release in September and has already vowed to leave Germany.
As a result, it means prosecutors will have trouble bringing him to court should they charge him in connection with Madeleine's disappearance.
His earliest possible release date is September 17 however that is unlikely as he will have to pay 1500 Euro in outstanding fines from a series of motor offences to do so.
But his legal team say he is broke and so a release date of January 6 looks more likely.
Brueckner's lawyer Philipp Marquort told MailOnline:'I haven't had a chance to speak with him yet about the searches and I am not going to comment on what has been happening in Portugal.
'What I will say is that I don't think he will be coming out in September as he doesn't have any money to pay the fines because it went on his legal fees, so I can't see him leaving prison until early next year.
'He will probably see the news on the TV in his cell and he will talk about it when he calls me next time but I still do think when he is freed he will leave Germany.'
Last October he was cleared of a series of unrelated sex attacks that took place in the Algarve between 2000 and 2017.
Two years ago police also searched a dam close by for evidence but after a week-long operation nothing was found.
Brueckner continues to deny any involvement with Madeleine's disappearance.
Details of Mr Grimm's downbeat message came as the operation at Atalaia near Praia da Luz was brought to a close after three days.
Permission had been given to search the derelict outbuildings on the scrubland close to where Brueckner used to live and where he previously to park his campervan until Friday
Meanwhile locals expressed exasperation at the eyes of the world once again being on Praia da Luz with one business owner telling MailOnline: 'What on earth do they expect to find after 18 years ?
'It's been such a long time, of course everyone sympathies with the parents but it's gone on for too long now and to be honest no one here is convinced this German guy did it.'
The German police team will fly back on a military plane due to pick them up today and which will also carry two vans brought with them.
German officials said they would update the media on Friday or Monday if they had anything significant to say but the feeling was one of disappointment.
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