Top Aide to Gov. Maura Healey Busted in Cocaine Trafficking Sting Involving State Office Building

A senior aide to Democratic Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has been arrested and charged in a major drug trafficking operation that allegedly saw kilos of cocaine sent directly to a state-run office building.

LaMar Cook, who served as deputy director of Healey’s western Massachusetts office since 2023, was charged with trafficking over 200 grams of cocaine, illegal possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, according to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.

Authorities say the arrest followed a broader investigation into multiple drug parcels. In total, law enforcement has seized roughly 21 kilograms of cocaine connected to Cook, including eight kilos intercepted during a “controlled delivery operation” to the Springfield State Office Building where Cook worked.

Cook was taken into custody during a traffic stop three days after the delivery. Investigators also linked him to drug shipments previously intercepted at the Hotel UMass in Amherst, where he was employed before joining the Healey administration. Those packages reportedly contained about 13 kilos of cocaine.

Gulluni said the drugs recovered during the Springfield operation matched those found in the Amherst seizures. “Evidence collected during that operation was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery,” he said.

Cook, 45, was arraigned Wednesday in Springfield District Court, where he pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $25,000.

Before his firing, Cook described himself on LinkedIn as “a key liaison between the state government and the western region of Massachusetts,” claiming to coordinate government policy across four counties.

Gov. Healey’s office quickly responded to the arrest by terminating Cook’s employment. “The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust,” a spokesperson for Healey said. “Mr. Cook has been terminated from his position effective immediately.”

The governor’s office added that it would fully cooperate with law enforcement as the criminal investigation continues.

Healey, who has faced criticism over her administration’s handling of public safety and staffing, is now under renewed fire from political opponents in the wake of the arrest.

“Healey has lost control of every aspect of her administration,” said Mike Kennealy, a Republican and former state official who is challenging her in the 2026 race. “When I’m Governor, we’ll clean up the mess that Maura Healey created.”

Another GOP contender, Brian Shortsleeve, didn’t hold back. “A top aide to Gov. Maura Healey is a drug trafficker. This is beyond shocking,” he wrote on X. “This is a reflection not just on our governor and her failed leadership and management skills, but on our entire state, and we shouldn’t tolerate it. Gov. Healey owes Massachusetts an explanation.”