Key Highlights
- Aide to Governor Maura Healey faces cocaine trafficking charges.
- 8 kilograms of cocaine delivered to state-owned building in Springfield.
- Total cocaine seized: over 46 pounds.
- Cook fired from his position immediately after arrest.
Aide to Governor Maura Healey Faces Cocaine Trafficking Charges at State-Owned Building
LaMar Cook, a former aide to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, faces cocaine trafficking charges after 8 kilograms—approximately 18 pounds—of the drug were delivered to his office in Springfield on Saturday. This incident comes as an additional seizure of 13 kilograms (about 29 pounds) was intercepted at Hotel UMass Amherst earlier this month, bringing the total amount of seized cocaine to over 46 pounds.
Seizures and Investigation
The investigation into these drug trafficking activities began after law enforcement intercepted suspicious packages containing suspected cocaine. On October 10th, investigators discovered about 13 kilograms of suspected cocaine at Hotel UMass Amherst in Amherst. The evidence from this operation was consistent with the narcotics recovered during a recent controlled delivery in Springfield.
Controlled Delivery and Charges
A Massachusetts State Police officer posed as a delivery worker to hand over the parcel containing the 8 kilograms of cocaine to Cook, who had been waiting at the “little State House” building in Springfield. The government-owned structure is home to several state offices, including the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the secretary of the commonwealth’s western division.
Cook, 45, served as deputy director for the governor’s regional office in Springfield before his firing this week. He was appointed as an aide in 2023. According to Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, Cook is expected to appear in Springfield District Court on Wednesday facing four charges: trafficking in 200 grams or more of cocaine, carrying a gun and ammunition without a license, and driving without a license.
Public Reaction and Governor’s Response
The incident has sparked significant controversy within the state. Governor Healey’s office issued a statement noting that “the conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust.” Cook was terminated from his position immediately upon arrest, according to the governor’s spokesperson.
However, this is not the first time the Back to School Brighter Initiative co-founder has been in trouble. Cook ran unsuccessfully for Springfield City Council in 2015 and for School Committee in 2017.
He was featured as an emerging Black leader by MassLive in a Juneteenth series in 2023.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges of drug trafficking and corruption within state institutions, raising concerns about security protocols and oversight mechanisms in place to protect public assets from illegal activities. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what impact this will have on Governor Healey’s administration and Cook’s future prospects in the community.
