County Court: Frank Zampogna caught running two clan labs faces day in court

A man who rocked up to a Peninsula hospital with burns to his hands and legs sparked suspicions when nurses found meth in his clothing, leading police on a major drug raid.

Frank Zampogna burnt himself while attempting to cook ice at two clan labs.

A meth head with aspirations of becoming a commercial pilot came crashing down to earth after burning himself while attempting to cook the illicit drug at two clandestine labs.

Frank Zampogna popped up on the police radar when he went to the Peninsula Private Hospital after suffering first and second degree burns to his hands and legs.

The unemployed 42-year-old pleaded guilty in the County Court to charges of trafficking in a drug of dependence and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He was sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment

Zampogna attempted to manufacture methylamphetamine and MDMD at two clandestine labs at Victoria Dr in Langwarrin and at Bacchus Marsh Rd in April 2022.

Judge Trevor Wraight said about 1am on April 12, 2022 Zampogna went to the Peninsula Private Hospital where nurses assessed him as suffering from second degree burns to his hands and first degree burns to his right shin.

The nurses provided initial treatment and advised that he should attend Frankston Hospital within 24 hours for further treatment.

They removed clothing that had melted down to his skin and found a small amount of methylamphetamine. Frankston police arrested him and a search of his Subaru parked in the hospital carpark located snap lock bags containing pseudoephedrine.

His mobile phone was examined and contained photos of the labs and videos of what appeared to be an attempt to manufacture methylamphetamine and had audio on chemicals and processes for the manufacture.

He was released on bail but went back to the labs and attempted to cook meth.

Police planted an optical surveillance device on the Langwarrin property and two days later, investigators found a lab inside the garage of the premises, seizing more than 200 items for analysis.

Zampogna was arrested in September at the Essendon Motel. Judge Wraight said a particular aggravating factor was Zampogna’s conduct after he had been charged and bailed following his hospital visit.

Born and raised in Adelaide, Zampogna completed an associate diploma in aviation with aspirations of becoming a commercial pilot but struggled to obtain work due to the Ansett collapse. Judge Wraight said he was introduced to meth by a colleague in Adelaide.

Zampogna must serving a minimum of 18 months before being eligible for parole.