Cocaine trafficking charges: What to know about ex-Healey aide LaMar Cook's arrest
Update: Ex-Healey staffer arraigned on cocaine trafficking, gun charges
Authorities on Wednesday announced the arrest of LaMar Cook, a former aide to Gov. Maura Healey. Cook faces cocaine trafficking and gun-related charges.
The 45-year-old served as deputy director for the governor's regional office in Springfield before his firing this week, a governor's spokesperson confirmed. He earned $115,668 annually, state payroll records show.
Cook appeared in the Springfield District Court on Wednesday on four counts: trafficking in 200 grams or more of cocaine, carrying a gun and ammunition without a license, and driving without a license. A plea of not guilty was entered on the charges, court records show.
"The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust," a Healey spokesperson said on Wednesday. "This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work."
Kedar Ismail, a defense attorney for Cook, told reporters on Wednesday outside the Springfield courthouse that he's "looking forward to clearing [Cook's] name."
What we know about Cook
Cook was named deputy director in April 2023 and served as a liaison between the Healey administration and the residents, leaders and municipalities of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties.
Cook is a co-founder of the Back to School Brighter Initiative in Springfield, a member of the Springfield Community Preservation Committee, and a "major presence in the Springfield business community," the Governor's Office said at the time it announced his appointment.
In 2023, Cook was featured in a Juneteenth series on MassLive as an emerging Black leader, in which readers chose him as a standout in the community.
He told MassLive at the time that his background included more than 20 years in hospitality and management.
Before joining the governor's leadership team, he worked as the director of the University of Massachusetts Amherst's on-campus hotel. He served on the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management Board.
His 20 years of experience in hospitality and tourism included hotel leadership positions in cities such as Atlanta, Boston, New York City and Northampton.
He also ran unsuccessfully for Springfield City Council in 2015 and for School Committee in 2017.
What led to his arrest?
LaMar Cook, deputy director for the governor's regional office in Springfield, has been arraigned at Hampden County District Court on Wednesday morning for charges of cocaine trafficking after 8 kilos of the drug were delivered to him at the state building on Dwight Street on Saturday. Oct. 29, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Douglas Hook
Cook faces charges after officials say eight kilograms of cocaine, or about 18 pounds, were delivered to him at a state government building on Dwight Street in Springfield on Saturday.
According to investigators, the Massachusetts State Police in Springfield intercepted the package containing cocaine. A trooper then posed as a delivery worker to hand over the parcel to Cook, who was at the building waiting for it.
The government building at 436 Dwight St., often referred to as "the little State House," is home to several state offices, including the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the secretary of the commonwealth's western division.
An investigation stemmed from two past seizures by law enforcement earlier this month, according to Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.
On Oct. 10, investigators intercepted and searched two suspicious packages at Hotel UMass in Amherst that were found to contain about 13 kilograms, or about 28 pounds, of suspected cocaine.
"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.
At Wednesday's arraignment, Cook was ordered held pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Friday morning.
If released after Friday's hearing, Cook must satisfy a $25,000 bond set on Wednesday by Judge William Rota.
"You'll be our guest for a few days, Mr. Cook, but you'll have a full and complete hearing on Friday," Rota said.
Cook was arrested during a traffic stop late Tuesday night in Springfield. He appeared in court wearing a varsity-style jacket and handcuffs. He will be held at the Hampden County House of Correction.
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