Aide To Democrat Governor Arrested, Faces Cocaine Trafficking Charges

An aide to Massachusetts Democrat Gov. Maura Healey was arrested and faces cocaine trafficking charges after authorities said they seized eight kilograms of the drug that were allegedly to be delivered to him at a state office building.

LaMar Cook, 45, who was the deputy director of Healey’s Western Massachusetts office, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

A judge ordered Cook to be held without bail during a court appearance.

BAY STATE BUST: LaMar Cook, 45, an aide to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, was arrested on cocaine trafficking charges, with shipments allegedly due to be delivered to a state office building. pic.twitter.com/4uhzELEpoo

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 29, 2025

MassLive has more:

In addition to trafficking, he faces charges of carrying a gun and ammunition without a license, and driving without a license, according to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.

“The investigation stems from two prior seizures conducted by law enforcement earlier this month. On October 10, 2025, investigators intercepted and searched two suspicious packages at Hotel UMass in Amherst, which were found to contain approximately 13 kilograms of suspected cocaine,” an announcement from Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni says. “Evidence collected during that operation was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery in Springfield.”

The total amount of drugs seized was about 21 kilos, authorities said.

According to investigators, Massachusetts State Police in Springfield intercepted the package containing cocaine, and a trooper then posed as a delivery worker to hand over the parcel to Cook, who was at the building waiting for it.

A spokesperson for Healey said Cook was fired “effective immediately.”

“The Governor’s Office has been made aware of the arrest of an employee, Lamar Cook. The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust,” the spokesperson said in a statement, according to WBUR.

“This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work,” the statement added.

A Springfield-based aide to Governor Maura Healey was arrested after authorities said police seized eight kilograms of cocaine that were slated to be delivered over the weekend to a state building downtown, where he worked. https://t.co/stV3gYkeRc

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) October 29, 2025

WBUR shared:

Law enforcement officials intercepted and searched two suspicious packages that contained roughly 13 kilograms of cocaine on Oct. 10 at Hotel UMass in Amherst, which Cook lists on his LinkedIn profile as his previous employer prior to working in the Healey administration.

Evidence collected during that operation “was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery in Springfield,” Gulluni’s office said in a statement.

“The investigation into the UMass seizure remains ongoing and may result in additional charges related to the prior shipments in Hampshire County,” authorities said.

As deputy director of the office, Cook said on his LinkedIn profile that he served as “a key liaison between the state government and the western region of Massachusetts.”

“In this role, I effectively manage and coordinate government initiatives and policies in four counties,” he said on his online resume.

In announcing his appointment in April 2023, Healey said LaMar and another recently hired employee were “proven leaders with ties to Western Mass.”

“They know the communities, they know the businesses, they know the needs and opportunities of the region. We’re excited to welcome them to the administration and encourage residents to get in touch with them,” Healey said in a statement.

A pair of Republicans competing for their party’s nomination to challenge Healey in next year’s gubernatorial election criticized the governor after the arrest.

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