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.
Republican photo by Douglas Hook
SPRINGFIELD — LaMar Cook was arrested and charged with cocaine trafficking after nearly 8 kilograms of the drug were allegedly delivered to the Springfield State Office Building, 436 Dwight St., where Cook worked at the deputy director of Gov. Maura Healey’s Western Massachusetts office. Cook’s employment has since been terminated.
Trafficking cocaine, a Class B substance, is a felony. After the initial probable cause hearing on Oct. 29, Judge William Rota ordered Cook to be held until a full hearing on Friday, Oct. 31, to provide his attorney, Kedar Ismail, time to acquaint himself with the case. Cook will enter a formal plea at that time. Rota imposed a $25,000 cash bail upon release after the hearing.
Referring to Cook, Ismail said, “The gentleman is looking forward to clearing his name.” He added, “We’re looking forward to getting some good facts out there and getting this man home to his family.”
Republican photo by Douglas Hook
Cook’s arrest was the result of an investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team and the State Police Detective Unit, with help from Homeland Security Investigation.
Police undertook a controlled delivery operation, in which law enforcement monitors a transaction involving illicit substances or materials to identify and apprehend multiple individuals involved in the chain of illegal actions. A search of Cook’s former office was conducted on Oct. 27. The next evening, he was arrested after his vehicle was stopped by police.
According to the district attorney’s office, the investigation began after 13 kilograms of cocaine were intercepted at the Hotel UMass in Amherst on Oct. 10. Cook also faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Reminder Publishing will follow this story as it develops.
