My thoughts exactly. Even if they can't pinpoint someone directly, there are enough people in the cartel, or surrounding cities that are "disposable" and could

My thoughts exactly. Even if they can't pinpoint someone directly, there are enough people in the cartel, or surrounding cities that are "disposable" and could be used to send a message - and that fear is what they are already using to control everyone around them. Even if they don't punish the correct whistle blower, that person isn't going to come out and announce that they got it wrong.