American aircraft have targeted drug production facilities in Afghanistan for the first time under a new strategy aimed at cutting off Taliban funding, top US General John Nicholson said Monday. In a news conference with the Afghan army chief of staff, Nicholson said the Taliban were becoming a criminal organization. "They fight so that they can keep profiting from narcotics trade and other criminal activities," he said. He added that there are 13 major drug trafficking organizations in Afghanistan, of which seven are in Helmand.