The Colombian lawyer for alleged drug mule Cassandra Sainsbury has claimed the 22-year-old Adelaide woman may be able to reduce her possible prison sentence if she admits a degree of complicity.
Orlando Herran said Sainsbury, who was arrested last month for allegedly trying to smuggle 5.8kg of cocaine out of the South American nation, may be able to receive a minimum sentence of four years if she strikes a deal with prosecutors.
If Sainsbury admits serious negligence for not checking her luggage for the illicit substance, she may even be able to have her case heard within 90 days, Herran said.
Her legal rep also claimed that circumstance may also allow her “conditional liberty”, which essentially equates to parole, and that she may be able to serve it back in Australia.
Should Sainsbury be found guilty of the far more serious drug trafficking charges, she may end up with a prison sentence of between 8 and 20 years.
“That process will make sure Cassandra is in prison and that’s difficult.”
