A teenager from Scotland is facing serious allegations of being involved in drug trafficking and spent the Christmas holiday in a prison in Qatar while his mother was anxiously waiting back home. Lino Neil, an 18-year-old champion fisherman, celebrated Christmas in a crowded cell in Doha along with 80 other men before being transferred to Central Prison in the city. He claims that he was forced to transport a suitcase containing cannabis from Thailand to Dublin but was intercepted in Doha, where drug-related offenses are treated harshly.
Lino’s family, residing near Stirling in Drymen, shared how he called them in a state of panic upon realizing the possibility of being imprisoned for an extended period in Qatar. His arrest at Hamad International Airport on November 21 coincided with a rise in the use of drug mules from Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations.
Recently, Beki Wright, the head of the National Crime Agency’s Borders Threat Team, warned about criminal groups luring young British individuals with promises of luxurious vacations in exchange for carrying illicit “packages”. Lino’s mother, Nicola, believes that her son, a well-known angler, was manipulated by criminals and is devastated by the situation. She expressed concerns about his well-being in jail and hopes that Qatari authorities will acknowledge that he was coerced into the illegal activity.
The family is facing substantial legal fees for Lino’s trial in Doha, estimated at around £40,000, and has already raised approximately £2500 for an initial court appearance. Nicola mentioned the toll her son’s ordeal has taken on her mental health, emphasizing the urgent need for his return home.
Lino is scheduled to appear in court on January 27 and plans to argue that a British expatriate coerced him into transporting the cannabis. His brother, Robbie, mentioned that Lino had traveled to Thailand for a vacation and was supposed to return home for Christmas. However, he was arrested in Qatar under suspicious circumstances, leading to a distressing situation for the family.
Robbie explained the events surrounding Lino’s arrest and subsequent transfer to Central Prison, where he is currently housed alongside a smaller group of inmates. He highlighted the absurdity of accusing Lino of orchestrating a drug deal, emphasizing his brother’s innocence and expertise in fishing. The family’s primary focus is on securing Lino’s safe return home.
