Accused Aussie drug mule asks taxpayers to help pay legal costs

The accused Adelaide drug mule locked up in a Colombian prison is calling on Australian taxpayers to help pay to secure her freedom.

Cassie Sainsbury has filled out paperwork to apply for financial assistance “looking for state funds in Australia”, her Bogota lawyer confirmed.

Sainsbury has maintained her innocence after she was accused of attempting to smuggle 5.8kgs of cocaine, concealed in 18 headphone packages that she claims were presents for an upcoming bridal party.

“When I saw her she signed documents for her lawyer in Australia. They are looking for state funds in Australia for the legal costs, so she was signing a form for that, to put before the government there,” Orlando Herran said in Bogota.

“I have no idea how much they are looking for. It is to cover the lawyer’s fees in Australia.”

Sainsbury’s family has already faced considerable backlash over their crowdfunding page that raised $4,232 to “help bring her home”.

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Facing up to 25-years in an overcrowded Colombian jail, the 22-year-old has been urged to plead guilty in a bid to have her sentence greatly reduced.

Help from the Attorney-General's Department is available to those arrested overseas if they face more than 20 years or the death penalty.

According to the guidelines, the government can cover costs associated with legal defence of up to $290 per hour and counsel fees of up to $3600 per day.

It’s been nearly one month since the Moana native’s April 11 arrest after police at El Dorado international airport received a tip-off from the US Drug Enforcement Agency.

Her fiancé Scott Broadbridge has hired prominent Adelaide lawyer Stephen Kenny, who represented David Hicks.