US 'tipped off' Colombia police before Cassie Sainsbury's drug arrest
International authorities had tipped off Colombian police, warning them to stop Adelaide woman Cassandra Sainsbury if she tried to leave the country, suspecting she would try to smuggle drugs.
7 News understands Sainsbury, who is currently locked up in a Colombian prison, was caught in a sting.
The 22-year-old was arrested for allegedly carrying 5.8kg of cocaine concealed in her luggage, as she tried to fly home to Australia on April 11 from El Dorado International Airport in Bogota.
Police allege she was trying to sneak them out of Colombia.
Experts have said whoever purchased the drugs found in the luggage would have paid about $20,000 for them, however if they had hit the streets in Australia it would've been worth close to $2 million.
She now faces 12 years jail despite claiming another man had planted the drugs on her.
7 News asked police if they were looking for the man Ms Sainsbury refers to.
“We have to do all of the investigation to get the right person,” police said.
Reporters were invited inside the Bogota Police narcotics centre where the police chief told of Ms Sainsbury’s capture, revealing it was part of an international operation.
Ms Sainsbury arrived in Bogota on April 3.
7 News understands that two days after her arrival, America's Drug Enforcement Administration got in contact with Colombian authorities.
They forwarded her photo and passport details and when she tried to leave for Australia on April 12, she was arrested.
However Ms Sainsbury claims she's been taken advantage of while buying headphones.
18 piles of cocaine were hidden in pre-wrapped boxes that she claims she thought were headphones, planned as gifts for her upcoming bridal party.
Zak Crane, who has also been caught by a scammer in Colombia, believes her story.
"We thought we were buying some cheap watches, but when we got back to the hotel there were a few watches but there was also some white powder in the bag too,” he told 7 News.
Ms Sainsbury is housed in El Buen Pastor women’s only prison in Bogota.
It’s one of the most notorious in the country. Overcrowded and over-run with drugs and violent criminals.
It will be her home as she awaits trial.
Lawyers say she can plead guilty now and get a sentence bonus, or wait it out for years only to be locked up anyway.
The Australian Federal Police told 7 News they did not provide any information to Colombian authorities prior to Ms Sainsbury’s arrest.
Bogota police have not requested any assistance from the AFP and the AFP is not involved in a criminal investigation relating to Ms Sainsbury.
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