Six suspects have been arrested as part of the probe into the gun murder of ex-Rangers player Arnold Peralta in Honduras.

Peralta, who played for the Honduran national team, was found dead in the car park of a shopping centre in La Ceiba last month after he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting as his wife and two friends walked with him.

The 26-year-old played with Rangers for 18 months, helping them win the 2013-14 Scottish League One title but left in January, returning home to play for Club Deportivo Olimpia. A post-mortem examination confirmed he was shot 18 times in a "vicious" attack.

Police in Honduras, one of the most violent countries in the world, have now arrested five men and a woman in connection with the murder. They have not yet been charged but are currently detained in custody.

They were arrested on Thursday after a raid at a property in the central American country in which they recovered guns, ammunition and mobile phones.

Police chief Leandro Osorio said: "They are suspects but we’re lacking important information like scientific evidence to determine their level of guilt and the connection they have with Arnold’s murder. “We are also linking them with other crimes."

The woman is 34-years-old and the men are aged between 22 and 47.

Rangers held a minute's silence for their former player before a match against Morton in December.

A statement from the club at the time said: "Rangers Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news about former player Arnold Peralta.

"The 26 year-old midfielder, who had an 18 month spell at Ibrox and helped the club win the League One title in 2014, was killed in a shooting incident in Honduras last night. Our thoughts go out to Arnolds family and friends at this very difficult time.

"The club will pay its respects with a minutes silence before tomorrows game against Morton. The players will also wear black armbands in his honour."

He had won 24 caps for his country and played at both the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics.