CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) — Former national security minister Guy Mayers says it is important for Caribbean countries to collaborate on security matters after a 40-year-old man from Morocco, said to be  linked to a senior member of the Islamist militant organization, al – Qaeda, escaped from the French Caribbean island of Martinique earlier this week.

“That is where the Regional Security System comes into play so that they can assist in making sure that even as people move from one island to the other under the cover of darkness to conduct their crimes, information sharing becomes critical,” Mayers told reporters.

Media reports said that Rachid Rafaa, was under house arrest in Morne Rouge, before disappearing on Wednesday.

The French police have issued a warning on social media, urging residents to call the authorities if Rafaa is seen. They have also asked the public to refrain from intervening, as he is considered dangerous.

It is reported that Rafaa used his computer skills to disseminate information on the internet on the behalf of al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb.

He was arrested in France and transferred to Martinique after the European Court of Human Rights decided not to extradite him to Morocco for fear he may be tortured.

He has been under house arrest in Morne Rouge since May 2014.

Mayers told reporters that the borders of the islands are porous and that persons can easily slip from one Island to the next.

“Because of our porous borders, a person can land in one of the Islands and take a small ferry to St Lucia, Grenada, Dominica and in one day – overnight, they can move from one Island to the other very quickly without any restriction,” he added.