ALOR STAR, MALAYSIA - When state Immigration Department officers detained a Myanmar woman found begging on the streets here on Sunday, they were in for a shock. She was found to have RM1,800 cash hidden in her bra and panties.

It is believed the woman had collected the money in a week of begging in the city.

The woman, in her 40s, was detained in a three-hour crackdown on vagrants and beggars, which started at 9am, near the popular Pekan Rabu market.

State Immigration director Zulfikar Ahmad said the woman did not have valid travel documents and did not try to flee when approached by officers because she thought they wanted to give her money.

Zulfikar said the woman was sent to Belantik Immigration detention centre in Sik.

Thirty-three illegal immigrants from Indonesia and Bangladesh were detained by the department in another operation here on Sunday night.

"We have identified several locations in the city that the illegal immigrants frequent. We will take action soon. Those detained will be sent to Belantik."