A slew of Worcester County drug cases will be retried after a judge ruled that “egregious” conduct in the form of secret recordings made by Massachusetts State Police tainted the cases and denied defendants’ their right to pursue “vital defenses” at trial.

This case represents a failure on the part of MSP on many levels,” Judge Christopher P. LoConto wrote in his 34-page ruling.

Massachusetts State Police Col. John Mawn said the department needs to "look in the mirror" and work to rebuild public trust