Hilir Perak police chief Bakri Zainal Abidin said those arrested comprised 15 women and six men, aged 20 to 63 years old, who were clerks, palm oil mill supervisors and unlicensed oil palm fruit traders.

Two of them had prior records for drug offences.

“Police seized 18 items, including business licences from the Companies Commission of Malaysia, Malaysian Palm Oil Board licences, computers, palm oil purchase and sale receipts, and so on,” Bernama reported him as saying.

All the suspects have been released on police bail after being held in custody.

“Based on the initial investigation, it is clear there is a basis for the occurrence of elements of fraud, embezzlement and document forgery at the premises involved,” he said.

Further investigations would be conducted involving the Inland Revenue Board.