The craziest part is that Amaral himself confirmed in an interview in Amsterdam May 2009 that no drugs, prescription or otherwise, were found by PJ in 5A. The Calpol hypothesis must have arisen from later comments by Madeleine's grandfather and, once again, added to the list of dubious insinuations of foul play by the parents.
https://www.gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/Nigel/id173.htm 05 May 2009
*snipped*
Q: Are you hoping the McCanns will sue you?
A: Yes! (here he gave a Portugese metaphor about a bullfight, something about having to first entice the bull into the middle of the ring before the fight can start).
Q: Is it true, as was reported in De Telegraaf, that an injection needle was found in the apartment?
A: No, that is not true. In fact we have found no medication at all. None at all. Except for 'likdoornpleisters' = litt.: corn plasters (for your feet - sorry can't find a better translation).
Q: Do you think the children were sedated?
A: There is no doubt.
(Here he told an anecdote: that Kate called a colleague of Gonçalo Amaral's in the PJ, in August, to ask them to check the twins for traces of sedation. Apparently Kate was alone when she called, and a bit upset. That same afternoon, Gerry called and cancelled the request.)
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I'd forgotten just how many interviews GA participated in during 2008/9.