The two men behind New Zealand’s largest-ever methamphetamine importation operation have failed in their final attempt to overturn more than 20 years’ jail sentences, as the country’s highest court rejected their applications for permission to appeal.Baltej Singh and Himmatjit Singh Kahlon were convicted internationally drug trafficking Network that imported up to 741 kilograms of methamphetamine into New Zealand. The drugs were hidden inside the shipment, including bottles of beer and kombucha.According to Stuff, the court upheld the sentences given to both men and ruled that the punishment was appropriate given the seriousness of their crimes. Singh is serving a 22-year prison sentence, while Kahlon was sentenced to 21 years. Both men must serve a minimum non-parole period of 10 years.In its decision, the court said there was no reason to reconsider the sentence and found no error or unfairness in the earlier court decisions. The court said that severe penalties are appropriate given the scale of drug trafficking and the damage it causes to communities.The judgment also noted the human cost of the crime. Among the consequences linked to the drug network was the death of 21-year-old Aiden Sagala, who died after unknowingly consuming alcohol that had been mixed with methamphetamine and supplied during the criminal operation.Kahlon was convicted of drug supply offenses as well as murder.Singh was described during court proceedings as a senior member of the syndicate and a South Auckland-based businessman. Later, before leaving the application, he had first sought to hide the permanent name.According to The Indian Panorama, Baltej Singh is an Indian-origin businessman with roots in Punjab, while Himmatjit Singh Kahlon has also been identified as being of Indian origin.