Heroin Trafficking Conviction For North Charleston Man

For the second time, Naarl Joseph Richard, of North Charleston, has been convicted in the same heroin trafficking case in U.S. District Court, according to U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles.

Richard was convicted in October, but GPS tracking evidence used in the trial was ruled illegal prior to sentencing. He was granted a new trial.

In the new trial, testimony showed Richard had driven to New Jersey in May 2009 to meet briefly with an individual before driving back to North Charleston, according to Nettles.

Back in the Lowcountry, Richard was pulled over by North Charleston police, who said the driver appeared nervous and lied about his identity. After extensively searching the car, officers found a trap door triggered by a hydraulic lift. Officers found 1,000 doses of heroin inside the compartment, along with a Haitian passport belonging to Richard.