Suspected Essex drive-by killer arrested in Morocco

Robert Powell, 50, was shot eight times outside a party near Harlow, Essex, in the early hours of June 13 2020.

Published Feb 1, 2023

Last updated Feb 1, 2023

A man wanted for a drive-by gun murder in Essex has been arrested in Morocco.

Nana Oppong, 42, was held for allegedly trying to enter the North African country using a fake passport in late September.

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) only revealed details of the arrest on Wednesday.

Oppong was hunted after Robert Powell, 50, died after being shot eight times outside a party near Harlow, Essex, in the early hours of June 13 2020.

Police at the scene of a shooting in Roydon, Harlow — The suspected gunman had travelled from Spain to Morocco, where he was arrested (PA)

He was arrested after travelling from Spain to Morocco and is in custody while extradition proceedings are underway.

Steve Reynolds, the NCA’s regional manager for Spain, said: “Oppong’s arrest came about after a sustained campaign to trace him and because of the vigilance of our Moroccan partners and support from Interpol.

“Working with our colleagues at home and abroad, we will continue to hunt those on the run.”

Mr Powell died in hospital the day after the shooting in Water Lane, Roydon.

Forensic officers at the scene of a shooting in Roydon, Harlow — The 50-year-old victim was shot eight times outside a party in 2020 (PA)

“Our work continues and we won’t stop until Nana Oppong is back in the UK and facing the courts.”