A judge has rejected Cassie Sainsbury‘s plea deal with Colombian prosecutors over drug smuggling charges.
The 22-year-old from Adelaide will now stand trial for attempting to smuggle nearly 6kg of cocaine out of Colombia.
Cassie agreed to reveal the identities of others in the drug ring to receive a lighter sentence of six years but today, the plea deal was officially rejected and she could be looking at 20-30 years in Colombian prison if she’s found guilty.
“In the name of the Republic, and by the law, decides not to approve the agreement held between the prosecutors and the accused, Cassandra Sainsbury, with the help of the person who takes her defence according to what was exposed before,” Judge Leon told a court in Bogota.
She claims she only agreed to smuggle 5.8kg of cocaine in her luggage after her family was threatened.
WATCH: Cassie Sainsbury is pictured smiling from behind bars. Post continues…
Cassie was caught at Bogota international airport in April with 18 individual packages she initially said she thought were headphones that she’d bought for her family and friends.
The accused drug smuggler’s sister, Khala Sainsbury, told News Corp that she now fears reprisal attacks.
“She [Cassie] got told to be quiet otherwise they’d come after her family,” she said.
“My ultimate fear is bringing her home in a body bag.”
The cocaine that was found in Cassie’s suitcase.
“I’m worried about my little sister. I never thought anything like this would happen in a million years.”
“I love her. I’ll always love her – she’s my sister.”
Kahla also said the ordeal may have permanently sullied her sister’s reputation.
Cassie with fiance, Scott Broadbridge.
“It’s going to be hard for her to do anything,” Khala told Seven News.
“She’s always going to be labelled as ‘Cocaine Cassie’.”
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said Sainsbury’s case should serve as another warning to Australians travelling overseas.
“People need to abide by the laws of that country. If not, they will face serious consequences,” he told Seven.
The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) contacted Colombian authorities after her plane ticket home to Australia via London was purchased last minute by an “unknown party” in Hong Kong.
More as we get it.
