After Maura Healey’s aide was arrested in cocaine bust, Republican gov candidates question if ‘serious red flags were ignored’

Republicans running for governor are licking their chops in the wake of Gov. Maura Healey’s aide getting arrested in a massive cocaine bust.

The GOP candidates are questioning what the Healey administration knew when the governor’s office hired LaMar Cook — who was the deputy director of the Western Mass. office until he was charged with trafficking pounds of cocaine.

State Police last week intercepted about 18 pounds of cocaine on the way to the Springfield State Office Building, where Cook worked in the governor’s office. A trooper posed as a UPS driver to deliver the cocaine to the office.

In the wake of this bombshell arrest, reports have emerged that this isn’t the first time that Cook has been arrested. Cook, 45, was previously busted in connection with a shooting in Springfield.