NORWAY — Police in Norway are trying to enforce tougher federal regulations on a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program scam known as water-dumping.

Detective Gary Hill finished putting together his case last week on residents suspected of purchasing cases of water with their SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, dumping the water and returning bottles for a cash deposit of five cents each. He didn’t want to divulge too many details since he plans to present his case to the Oxford County District Attorney’s Office this week.

“It is something that does happen,” he said. “There have been places where people have been observed doing this thing.”

His evidence shows suspects searching for locations with the cheapest water, he said.

Hill is looking to charge suspects with misuse of a public benefits instrument, trafficking in benefits and theft by deception, all misdemeanors because the amount was less than $1,000.

Hill said he wants the DA’s office to let him move forward with the case.

The detective has been working with Department of Health and Human Services fraud investigator Charity Klinger, who said the department’s public information team could be contacted for comment.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s rule to expand the definition of trafficking in benefits, including water-dumping, kicked in as an emergency rule in May 2013 and was officially adopted in August 2013, according to David Sorensen, DHHS director of media relations and policy research.

If a SNAP recipient is convicted of misusing or trafficking in benefits, Sorensen said by email, he or she would lose benefits for one year. A second conviction means benefits are lost for two years. A third conviction or if the trafficking loss exceeds $500 means the loss of SNAP permanently nationwide.

The problem of water-dumping is widespread and DHHS fraud investigators receive calls regularly about the practice, Sorensen said.

“DHHS and the LePage Administration remain committed to cracking down on welfare fraud and abuse, not only for the sake of the taxpayers who provide the benefits, but for the truly needy who go without because some choose to abuse,” Sorensen said.

Paris police Lt. Jeffrey Lange said by email that his department is aware of water-dumping, but hasn’t received any complaints. Oxford police Lt. Michael Ward said there have been no such complaints there either.