An aide to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has been arrested on charges related to cocaine trafficking. The arrest came after authorities intercepted a package meant for delivery to the statehouse where he worked, according to prosecutors.
Lamar Cook, 45, from Springfield, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Wednesday. He has been ordered to be held without bail as he awaits a court hearing, as reported by Boston.com.
Beyond the drug-related charges, Cook faces accusations of illegally possessing a firearm along with ammunition.
Cook previously held the position of deputy director in Healey’s Western Massachusetts office. Following news of his arrest on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the governor’s office stated that he was terminated almost immediately. “These actions are entirely unacceptable and represent a significant breach of public trust,” the spokesperson noted. The administration is committed to cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
In a related development, authorities seized 21 kilograms of cocaine, which included eight kilograms intercepted during a delivery operation at the statehouse in Springfield over the weekend. Cook was arrested while in a vehicle on Tuesday.
The investigation first started after two suspicious packages were discovered at the UMass Hotel in Amherst on October 10, which contained roughly 13 kilograms of what was believed to be cocaine. Cook’s background includes previous work as a director at the hotel, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The prosecutor’s office stated that evidence collected from the UMass operation was consistent with the narcotics found during the Springfield delivery. The inquiry into the UMass seizure remains active, suggesting that more charges might be forthcoming regarding the earlier shipment.
