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Accused Aussie drug trafficker Cassie Sainsbury calls for financial aid as court day looms

Accused Aussie cocaine trafficker Cassie Sainsbury has launched an appeal for taxpayer funding on the eve of a new court hearing in Colombia.

Ms Sainsbury, a former personal trainer from Adelaide, has been in a maximum-security Colombian women’s prison for the past 100 days following her arrest in April.

Her Bogota-based lawyer Orlando Herran on Tuesday said her defence needed urgent assistance from the Australian government, according to the Adelaide Advertiser.

Ms Sainsbury’s South American legal team are reportedly preparing to negotiate a potential prosecution plea deal before a court hearing next week.

Australian Cassandra Sainsbury in handcuffs after she was arrested at the international airport in Bogota. Source: 7 News
Australian Cassandra Sainsbury in handcuffs after she was arrested at the international airport in Bogota. Source: 7 News

But her uncle, Neil Sainsbury, said taxpayers shouldn’t be helping her.

“I’m a taxpayer. I would hate to think my dollar is going over there,” he told the newspaper.

“Australian taxpayers’ money shouldn’t be funding any (alleged drug runners), the Bali Nine, any of them — they get what they deserve.”

Neil Sainsbury. Source: Sunday Night
Neil Sainsbury. Source: Sunday Night

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told radio station 5AA on Wednesday that Ms Sainsbury would be provided with help.

“We have very established procedures for supporting (and) helping Australians who get into trouble overseas,” Mr Turnbull said.

“I’d just say everyone should remember that when you are overseas, obey the law of the country you are in.

“So, as far as Cassie Sainsbury’s concerned, she will be provided with consular assistance in the normal way but I can’t go into any further details about her particular case.”

Ms Sainsbury is being held at Bogota’s El Buen Pastor prison after 5.8lg of cocaine was allegedly found inside 18 headphone cases in her luggage.

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    Ms Sainsbury during her detention at the International Airport the Dorado, in Bogota, Colombia, on 11 April 2017. Photo: AAP
    Ms Sainsbury during her detention at the International Airport the Dorado, in Bogota, Colombia, on 11 April 2017. Photo: AAP

Her story of why she had the drugs has changed since her arrest as she initially claimed the headphones were bridal party gifts.

She also claimed she was on a business trip and was working for a cleaning company run by her uncle Neil.

Mr Sainsbury later claimed he had never owned a cleaning business or employed his niece.

Ms Sainsbury faces between 21-30 years jail if convicted.