Mass. Deputy Director Arrested, Charged in Cocaine Case

LaMar Cook, 45, deputy director of Gov. Maura Healey’s Western Massachusetts office, was arrested after state police intercepted a controlled delivery of about eight kilograms of suspected cocaine to the Springfield State Office Building where he worked. Authorities say the arrest is linked to earlier seizures at Hotel UMass that brought the total seized in the investigation to roughly 21 kilograms, and a trooper posed as a delivery worker during the operation. Cook was charged with trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and driving without a license, and he pleaded not guilty at arraignment. A judge set a $25,000 bond tied to the gun charge and ordered him held pending a dangerousness hearing. He was terminated from his state post effective immediately, and Healey’s office called the conduct "unacceptable" and a "major breach of the public trust," pledging to cooperate with investigators.