An aide to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) was arrested Tuesday night on cocaine trafficking charges after investigators allegedly intercepted a drug shipment slated for delivery at the Springfield State Office Building.
Lamar Cook, 45, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges of cocaine trafficking in 200 grams or more, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Bail was set at $25,000, subject to the outcome of a hearing on Friday, his defense attorney told The Hill.
Prosecutors say a shipment of nearly 8 kilograms was intercepted on Saturday, before undercover delivery officers packaged approximately 225 grams back up and carried out “a controlled delivery operation” to the state office building where Cook worked.
Three days later, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office said, police arrested Cook at a traffic stop.
Cook is listed as the deputy director of “Governors Western Mass Office” on his LinkedIn profile, which indicates he’s served in that position for 2.5 years.
“As the Western Massachusetts Director for Governor Maura Healey, I serve 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 4 counties,” his LinkedIn job description states.
A spokesperson for Healey’s office told local news outlets that Cook was fired “effectively immediately” upon learning of the aide’s arrest on Tuesday.
“The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust,” the spokesperson said in the reported statement.
“This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work,” the spokesperson added.
Healey’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
The Hampden DA’s office said the investigation stems from two prior seizures earlier this month, when law enforcement intercepted and searched “two suspicious packages” at Hotel UMass in Amherst.
Cook worked at Hotel UMass for 6.5 years, according to his LinkedIn, including serving as the hotel’s director.
The investigation is “ongoing and active,” the DA’s office said. So far, law enforcement say they have collected a combined total of approximately 21kilograms of suspected cocaine, including the 8 kilograms intercepted on Saturday and 13 kilograms intercepted during the seizures on Oct. 10.
