Police in Maine, U.S. have caught three men attempting to profit from smuggling a truck load of cheap state subsidized energy efficient bulbs to Chicago, according to an AP report.

The truck load of cheap bulbs was discovered, after police received reports that there was a rented box truck parked outside the federal courthouse Wednesday evening. Instead of finding contraband drugs or explosives in the suspicious vehicle, police found a pile of light bulbs, said Police Sgt. Tim Cotton.

Some of the bulbs were purchased from local big box retailers and subsidized by Efficiency Maine, said Cotton.

Compact fluorescent bulbs that are generally sold for $2 each and LED light bulbs at $10 are retailed to consumers for 25 cents and $2 to $5 respectively under the subsidy program, said Efficiency Maine's executive director, Michael Stoddard.

However, there is a 12-item purchase limit. Stores that sell over this limit will not be reimbursed, and will have to absorb the loss, he said.

The men told police they were going to sell the bulbs for a big profit in Chicago, said Cotton.