DULUTH — Federal marshals on Thursday took over the now-closed Duluth head shop whose owner was convicted of selling synthetic drugs.

The marshals were at the Last Place on Earth building in the afternoon, and “no trespassing” signs were posted on the store’s front windows. Neon signs in the windows advertising urine cleaner, adult toys, tobacco and other products had been removed. A large “Free Jim Carlson” banner that was draped over the building’s upper stories also was removed. The downtown store’s distinctive “Last Place on Earth” sign remained.

Last week U.S. District Judge David Doty issued a preliminary order of forfeiture on the property, following Carlson’s conviction in October on 51 counts in a major synthetic drug case.

The order will become final when Carlson is sentenced. Sentencing has not been scheduled yet.

U.S. Marshal Service spokesman Tom Volk said agents were onsite not to remove property but to survey the store and its contents.

“The initial step is to do the accounting and see all of the property,” Volk said. “There was no big hauling out or taking of things.”

Authorities shut the shop down in July after a long fight.

Carlson’s attorney, Randall Tigue, said he doesn’t know details of the operation but assumes the agents are there to clear out the building.

Tigue said he would prefer that authorities not remove assets until the case is resolved. Carlson intends to appeal the case to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“I have an issue with the order that allows them to forfeit the property, but given that the order has been granted, it’s within their right,” Tigue said.

Carlson’s girlfriend, Lava Haugen, and son, Joseph Gellerman, also were convicted in the drug case. On Tuesday, Doty denied a motion for a new trial or acquittal for Carlson, his girlfriend and Carlson’s son.