An aide to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has been taken into custody on charges related to cocaine trafficking. According to prosecutors, packages containing the drug were intercepted before they could be delivered to the state office building where the aide was employed.

LaMar Cook, a 45-year-old resident of Springfield, faced the charges in court on Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty. He has been detained without bail as he awaits a further court hearing, as reported by Boston.com.

Beyond the cocaine trafficking charge, Cook is also accused of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Cook previously held the position of deputy director at Governor Healey’s Western Massachusetts office, as noted in an archived staff directory. A governor’s office spokesperson stated that Cook was terminated “effective immediately” following his arrest on Tuesday, according to Boston.com.

Cook served as deputy director of Healey’s Western Massachusetts office, according to an archived staff directory. A spokesperson for the governor’s office said state officials fired Cook “effectively immediately” after learning of his arrest Tuesday, Boston.com reported. 

“The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust,” the spokesperson said. “This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Healy’s office. 

LaMar Cook, 45, was fired as an aide to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey after his arrest on suspicion of cocaine trafficking.  (Facebook)

Authorities have seized 21 kilograms of cocaine, including eight intercepted Saturday during a delivery operation at the Springfield State Office Building, the DA’s office said. 

Investigators searched Cook’s former office Monday night. Cook was arrested Tuesday while in his car in Springfield. 

The investigation stemmed from two prior drug seizures. Authorities intercepted and searched two suspicious packages at Hotel UMass (University of Massachusetts Amherst) in Amherst on Oct. 10 and found about 13 kilograms of suspected cocaine. 

Cook previously worked as the director of Hotel UMass, according to his LinkedIn profile. 

“Evidence collected during that operation was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery in Springfield,” the DA’s office said. “The investigation into the UMass seizure remains ongoing and may result in additional charges related to the prior shipments in Hampshire County.”