Aide to Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey was arrested and faces cocaine trafficking charges after authorities seized eight kilograms of the drug allegedly intended for him at a state office building. LaMar Cook, 45, 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.
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 by law enforcement earlier this month. On October 10, 2025, investigators intercepted and searched two suspicious packages at Hotel UMass in Amherst, which contained approximately 13 kilograms of suspected cocaine. Evidence from that operation matched narcotics recovered during a recent controlled delivery in Springfield.
Authorities reported seizing about 21 kilos of drugs in total. Massachusetts State Police in Springfield intercepted the package containing cocaine, with a trooper posing as a delivery worker to hand it to Cook at the building where he was waiting. A spokesperson for Healey confirmed Cook was fired “effective immediately.” The governor’s office condemned the arrest, calling the conduct a “major breach of the public trust.”
Law enforcement officials intercepted the packages at Hotel UMass in Amherst, which Cook listed on his LinkedIn profile as a previous employer. Investigators noted evidence from the UMass seizure aligned with the Springfield delivery. Authorities stated the investigation into the UMass case remains ongoing, potentially leading to additional charges.
Cook’s LinkedIn profile described him as a “key liaison between the state government and the western region of Massachusetts,” managing initiatives across four counties. Healey praised his appointment in April 2023, calling him a “proven leader with ties to Western Mass.” A pair of Republicans vying for their party’s nomination to challenge Healey in next year’s gubernatorial election criticized the governor following the arrest.
