Four men have been arrested in connection with an attempted car-bomb in Fgura on January 4.
Three are from Birżebbuġa and one is from Xgħajra.
The police said in a statement the operation started early this morning following weeks of investigation and more searches were currently underway.
Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia on Twitter thanked the police, the Security Service and the Armed Forces for a job well done.
Well done and thank you in the name of the people of Malta and Gozo to the Malta Police, Security Service and the Armed Forces of Malta for a job well done today after weeks of investigations
— Michael Farrugia (@dr_micfarr) March 15, 2018
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat later also tweeted congratulating the forces of law and order.
@MaltaPolice @Armed_Forces_MT Security Services joint operation following weeks of investigations has led to arrests and important breakthroughs in fight against crime. Well done to the women and men of #Malta law enforcement arms -JM @dr_micfarr
— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) March 15, 2018
The alert was raised when somebody noticed a spark and heard a strange noise, but the bomb, although activated, failed to go off.
The magistrate leading the inquiry has been kept informed of all developments, the police said.