Former Healey aide accused of cocaine trafficking gets bail

Gov. Maura Healey’s former aide accused of cocaine trafficking can now post bail after a previous judge ordered him held without bail following a dangerousness hearing.

LaMar Cook, 45, was deputy director of Healey’s Western Massachusetts office in Springfield before being fired “effective immediately” after his arrest late last month. Cook is also charged with illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition and driving without a license, the Hampden County Prosecutor’s Office previously said.

Cook filed a bail request in Hampden Superior Court, where a judge ruled during a hearing last week to grant $85,000 bail. To be released, he would pay bail and surrender his passport, court documents show.

“The scale and sophistication of the alleged drug operation demonstrate danger to the community,” the judge wrote, but noted that Cook has “strong family support,” a “history of positive community activities” and no criminal record.

He has not yet posted bail, according to court records. His lawyer Kedar Ismail said: “While we are happy that the bail is granted, most in this economy cannot simply claim the $85,000 bail.

“His family is doing everything they can to get this gentleman home for the holidays,” Ismail told Boston.com in an email.

After pleading not guilty in Springfield District Court on Oct. 29, Cook has been in custody at the Hampden County House of Correction since then, according to court records.

Investigators seized multiple packages containing a total of 21 kilograms of suspected cocaine, eight of which were intercepted during a controlled delivery operation at the Springfield State Office Building on Dwight Street, the district attorney said. Cook’s former office was also searched in October.

The investigation stemmed from two previous drug busts in which investigators found about 30 pounds of suspected cocaine after intercepting two suspicious packages at the Hotel UMass in Amherst on Oct. 10, the district attorney previously said. Cook previously worked as director of Hotel UMass, according to his LinkedIn.

Some of the kilos of suspected cocaine reportedly intercepted by authorities had the word “GOLD” emblazoned on them — which could link the package to a drug cartel, a Massachusetts State Police report claims. Federal officials in Kentucky on October 24 flagged a package allegedly containing approximately 7,800 grams of suspected cocaine marked “GOLD” en route to Hotel UMass.

Republican lawmakers called on Healey to clarify its vetting process for new hires, especially after reports that Cook, 45, arrested in connection with a 2001 shooting in Springfield and faced charges of assault and firearms offences.

“We don’t know all the circumstances; the district attorney is investigating,” Healey previously told GBHs “Boston Public Radio.”

“I’ll tell you this,” she continued. “I was shocked and I was so angry. It’s a big betrayal of trust, you know? A big betrayal of trust for those of us who work hard in government and for the people of Springfield, honestly. … As soon as I heard about it, he was fired before he was even charged.”

Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, covering education, politics, crime and more.