Man wanted in connection with Essex drive by shooting arrested trying to enter Morocco from Spain

A MAN wanted for the out-of-car murder of a 50-year-old grandfather in Essex has been arrested while attempting to enter Morocco from Spain.

Nana Oppong, 42, was wanted as part of an Essex Police investigation into the murder of Robert Powell.

Powell was shot dead eight times with a 9mm handgun in the early hours of 13 June 2020 outside a party in Water Lane, Roydon, Harlow.

Nana Oppong was arrested trying to enter Morocco. Photo: Police flyer

Oppong, whose last known address was West Road, Newham, London, was arrested trying to enter Morocco in late September last year.

A police spokesman said: “For operational reasons, his arrest can only be announced now.”

As well as being featured in the Most Wanted campaign, Oppong was also mentioned by Interpol – a global alert – and he was arrested using false ID when attempting to enter Morocco from Spain.

He was stopped by officers from the DGSN – Morocco’s Directorate General for National Security.

Oppong remains in custody pending extradition proceedings.

Robert Powell Shooting Victim Family Handout — The victim, Robert Powell, was shot nine times. Photo: family handout

Oppong is the seventh fugitive arrested as part of the Most Wanted campaign, which is being run in partnership with independent charity CrimeStoppers, Spanish law enforcement and UK police.

Steve Reynolds, NCA Regional Manager in Spain said: “Oppong’s arrest came after an ongoing campaign to locate him and due to the vigilance of our Moroccan partners and the support of Interpol.

“This is another excellent result and shows once again that UK law enforcement is not giving up on finding those waiting for justice in the UK.

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

Detective Superintendent Stephen Jennings, who led the Essex Police investigation, said: “Numerous officers and staff from all agencies involved in this case have been working day and night to seek justice for Robert’s family.

“The arrest of Oppong is the result of excellent collaboration between Essex Police, the NCA, the CPS, Interpol, Crimestoppers and other law enforcement colleagues around the world, and that’s not all.

“We all have a common goal – to find anyone suspected of a crime, no matter where they are trying to hide.

“Our work continues and we will not stop until Nana Oppong is back in the UK and standing trial.”