A Scottish teenager spent Christmas locked in a severely overcrowded Qatari prison cell, facing the terrifying prospect of years behind bars on drug smuggling charges.
From Fishing Champion to Prison Cell
Lino Neil, an 18-year-old champion salmon angler from Drymen, near Stirling, was arrested at Hamad International Airport in Doha on 21 November. He was travelling from Thailand to Dublin when authorities allegedly discovered cannabis in his suitcase. Lino claims he was coerced by criminals into transporting the bag.
His first detention was in a cell at the airport, which he described as being packed with around 80 other men. He has since been moved to Doha's Central Prison, a facility typically used for drug smugglers, where conditions are slightly better. His family revealed he has lost a significant amount of weight due to a lack of food and is in a state of profound distress.
A Family's Anguish and Mounting Costs
Lino's mother, Nicola Neil, 49, said her son called home in a state of terror, realising the severity of his situation in a nation known for its strict drug laws. "He is just a teenage boy, a baby," she stated, insisting he would have no means to orchestrate an international drug deal.
The family's ordeal is compounded by a looming legal bill of up to £40,000 for his criminal trial in Qatar. They have already been forced to raise approximately £2,500 to pay a solicitor in advance for his initial court appearance. Nicola's own mental health has suffered drastically, requiring medication to cope.
Wider Warning Over Drug Mule Tactics
Lino's case emerges as the UK's National Crime Agency issues warnings about gangs luring young Britons with promises of lavish holidays in exchange for carrying "packages". Beki Wright, head of the NCA's Borders Threat Team, recently highlighted a significant surge in the use of drug mules from Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Lino's brother, Robbie, 28, explained that Lino had been on a holiday in Thailand, having saved up for the trip. He was due to fly home via Doha. "He phoned me and I agreed to pick him up... But he never arrived off the plane," Robbie said. During a later call, Lino insisted he had been set up.
The British Embassy in Doha has visited Lino at the Central Prison, providing some consular support. His family now pins their hopes on a court hearing scheduled for 27 January, where Lino is expected to argue that a British expat forced him to carry the drugs.
"He's just a wee laddie who knows more about fishing than anything else," Robbie Neil said. "We just need to get him home."
