*** WATCH *** COPS: West Yarmouth traffic stop leads to arrest of...

WEST YARMOUTH – Shortly after 6:00 p.m., this past Monday – October 18, 2021 – plainclothes Yarmouth Police Officers assigned to the YPD PAC unit, a unit that focuses on the interception and prevention of street level narcotic activity, began focusing on a black Honda Accord traveling south on Camp Street. The vehicle did not have an inspection sticker, according to a police report later filed in Barnstable District Court.

As you will see in the following HN Video, a traffic stop was conducted on Camp Street near the intersection with Route 28.

The passenger turned out to be Derric Tavares, a verified Charlame Park II (Boston) gang member with multiple firearm offenses, according to police.

The driver was identified Cedrick Slayden, a verified Crescent St. (Boston) gang member with a history of multiple firearm offenses, “as well as open cases for distribution of a class B substance,” according to the police report.

Both occupants were reportedly moving around and not fully cooperating with officers. Officers became worried about the possibility of one of them reaching for a weapon and asked them both to step out of the vehicle so they could conduct a pat frisk. Both occupants reportedly refused to exit the vehicle. An additional cruiser was requested on scene.

Tavares then reportedly called 911 and told dispatch he did not feel safe.

Both Slayden and Tavares eventually reportedly stated they would only exit the vehicle if there was an officer with a body camera present. Two Massachusetts State Troopers eventually arrived wearing body cameras.

The police report continues: “Upon Slayden exiting the MV, he advised me that he has a knife clipped to the inside of his waistband. Slayden was cooperative and kept his hands held up while he was telling me. I removed the knife and secured it. Slayden was then handcuffed for his and our safety behind his back. A pat frisk was done and no other weapons were located on him or in the [driver’s] compartment. Upon further examination of the knife, I discovered it was spring assisted. The knife had a notch on the top of the handle that once depressed activated the knife to swing open. I advised Sladen that this knife was illegal to possess. Slayden stated he was not aware.”

Tavares, who had also been in possession of a knife – a knife that turned out not to be illegal – was also handcuffed. A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered approximately $3400 in cash, mostly $20 bills. The bigger stacks of cash were said to be tied together with rubber bands. This was reportedly suspicious to officers because it appeared consistent with drug distribution.

A small clear knotted plastic bag containing white powder (apparently cocaine) was reportedly discovered in Tavares’s sneaker. A knotted baggy containing an orange oval shaped pill reportedly then fell out of his other sneaker. Tavares was then placed under arrest for possession of a class B substance.

With the assistance of a narcotic sniffing dog also assigned to the PAC unit, officers reportedly discovered a baggy containing several “perc 30s” (Percocet pills) in Slayden’s wallet. Slayden was then placed under arrest for possession of a class B substance.

(While walking toward the cruiser, Slayden reportedly told officers his leg hurt because he had been shot in the leg a while back…)

The white powder reportedly found in Tavares’s possession tested positive for cocaine, weighing approximately 1.5 grams. One and a quarter Adderall pills were also tagged as evidence.

The three Percocet pills reportedly found in Slayden’s possession were also tagged as evidence, along with the spring assisted knife.

Derric Tavares, age 24, of Cambridge was charged with Possession of Class B (Cocaine) and Possession of Class B (Adderall).

Cedric Slayden, age 25, of Dorchester was charged with Carrying a Dangerous Weapon (Spring Knife) and Possession of Class B (Percocet).

Both suspects were arraigned Tuesday – October 19, 2021 – in Barnstable District Court.

Tavares was released at his arraignment after posting $1000 cash bail. His pretrial hearing is scheduled for 12/15/21.

According to court documents, in September of 2019, Slayden was released after a hearing on another matter on the condition he not commit any new state or federal crimes. During last Tuesday’s arraignment, the Commonwealth motioned to revoke Slayden’s bail. That motion was denied and Slayden was released on personal recognizance after posting $500 cash bail. His pretrial hearing is also scheduled for 12/15/21.

* All suspects are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The following HN Video highlights the aforementioned car stop and arrests.

[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]