RUMFORD – A Rumford man remained behind bars Wednesday night, unable to post bail on a drug charge.

Earl S. Blanchard, 48, of 81 Maine Ave. was arrested Monday by Maine Drug Enforcement Agency agent Tony Milligan on a charge of acquiring drugs by deception. He is being held in Oxford County Jail in Paris on bail of $50,000 cash or $300,000 worth of real estate, according to Rumford police.

Bail commissioner Robert Grinnell said late Wednesday afternoon that he considered Blanchard a threat to the community and set the high bail due to Blanchard’s past criminal history, which includes several Class A felonies.

Both Rumford police and Grinnell deferred comment to Milligan of Rumford, the lead investigator. Calls on Wednesday to Milligan and the drug agency office in Lewiston were not returned.