An Adelaide woman accused of trying to smuggle cocaine out of Colombia could have her case ruled on in 90 days if she admits to a level of complicity, her newly appointed Colombia-based lawyer has said.

Cassandra Sainsbury, 22, is being held at El Buen Pastor Women's prison in Bogota after she was arrested on April 12 at the city's international airport for carrying 18 different packages of cocaine.

Ms Sainsbury is said to be "very traumatised" despite being in good health in prison. ( Facebook: Scotty Broadbridge )

Lawyer Orlando Herran said she received the pre-wrapped packages from a man who claimed they were headphones and packed them in her luggage at the last minute.

"She bought several headphones, supposedly to sell them in Australia and gain money," he said.

If found guilty of drug trafficking, he said Ms Sainsbury could face a prison term of between eight and 20 years, depending on the level of her guilt and responsibility.

"But if we can get a deal with prosecutors, we could avoid drug trafficking charges and instead get complicity or something where she had a guilty act of not reviewing her luggage, and we could get a deal of a minimum of four years," Mr Herran said.

He said that could mean the case would be ruled on in 90 days and could result in "conditional liberty", such as parole, which would be completed in Colombia and possibly even Australia.

"She would have to present herself before authorities and [follow] rules of conduct and a series of controls. If we get this, we could ask that she return to Australia and keep this condition and finish her punishment with Australian authorities," Mr Herran said.

Depending on the quality of the drugs, the Australian could face up to 20 years' jail. ( Reuters )

He said it could also allow them to request house arrest.

"We have difficulty with that, because Cassandra doesn't live here in Colombia and doesn't have a home," Mr Herran said.

"In that case, we would have to look for NGOs [non-government organisations] that could take on the responsibility of looking after Cassandra."

Colombian drug authorities, however, have dismissed claims by Ms Sainsbury's family that she is innocent.

Colonel Jorge Mendoza from the Colombian drug enforcement police department said it was an unsophisticated method of concealment and Ms Sainsbury would have known the narcotics were in her bags.

He was confident the seizure would lead to jail time and, depending on the quality of the drugs, she could face up to 20 years' imprisonment.

Sainsbury being held with other foreigners

Mr Herran said he was contacted by a mutual friend of the Sainsbury family who were "absolutely desperate" for a contact in Colombia.

Australian woman Cassie Sainsbury in handcuffs after she was arrested at the international airport in Bogota. ( AP: Colombia's National Police )

He said Ms Sainsbury was "very traumatised" despite being in good health in prison and was with foreigners held under the same circumstances related to "narcotrafficking".

"She is psychologically affected by this. She cries a lot, almost always, because she feels impotent with this situation," Mr Herran said.

"There is not a legal way to resolve her problems in one day two days three days. This is a whole process to be resolved and she will have to remain in prison."

He added every prison in Colombia included the presence of an ombudsman-like body, the "Defensoria del Pueblo".

"They verify that no human rights are being violated, but here in Colombia there are limitations in prison like space, comfort," Mr Herran said.

"There are discipline and restrictions so when someone gets there they are affected and they feel submitted, so this is what she has been telling me."

Narcotraffickers approaching foreigners

Mr Herran said narcotraffickers in his country were approaching foreigners and "even Colombians" and tricking them into promising to take a package.

"They don't check what they are receiving and then are surprised because that thing they were carrying had drugs," Ms Herran said.

"Usually these narcotraffickers disappear and then the victims don't have enough proof to demonstrate they were innocent.

"On the other hand, the authorities do have proof against them in the moment they are detained. They have drugs in their luggage."

Sorry, this video has expired Colombian drug enforcement officer speaks about cocaine concealment (Image: Reuters)

He said Ms Sainsbury had been approached by a man near her hotel who took her to see the city, gave her a tour, and "helped her" while she was in staying in Colombia "for a few days".

"That person spoke English and she trusted him … he took her to see the city," he said.

"She wanted to buy some headphones and this guy told her he had a place where he could buy them cheap."

Cassandra Sainbury's lawyer claims a man gave her the headphones and she packed them at the last minute. ( Reuters )

But Mr Herran warned that if they tried to argue Ms Sainsbury was innocent, the case could be delayed between a year and year-and-a-half.

"This depends a lot on her," he said.

"If one is convinced they are innocent, it's hard to say I accept this punishment, even if it's not that much.

"But in terms of convenience, I would suggest we go for the shorter process and get a small punishment and learn the lesson not to trust strangers.

"With that, she can continue her life, especially if we take into account she is young and inexperienced in these things.

Sainsbury case a 'stark reminder' for Australians: Bishop

El Buen Pastor (The Good Shepherd) Women's prison in Bogota. ( Flickr CC: District Women's Secretariat )

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Australian consular staff were providing assistance to Ms Sainsbury, but did not have an embassy in Bogota and the assistance was being organised "from outside Colombia".

"That consular assistance has included providing the names of local lawyers, also visiting her and also ensuring that she has some personal hygiene goods and also relaying information to her family," Ms Bishop said.

She said there were limitations to the assistance Australian authorities could provide.

"It is a stark reminder that when you leave Australia you are subject to the laws of the country you are visiting," she said.

"In the case of Colombia, the Australian Government's Smart Traveller advice has indicated that Australian visitors should exercise a high degree of caution, abide by the laws of the country and note that any offences relating to drugs carry very severe penalties," Ms Bishop said.